TOUCHED OFF Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

touched off

verb

past tense of touch off

as in activated

to cause to function his obscene comment touched off a heated debate about the need for censorship on live broadcasts

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of touched off Trump’s tariffs on Canada, for example, have touched off a trade war with one of the United States’ closest allies. — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026 Not since voters passed Proposition 13, an iconic property tax limit, in 1978 and touched off tax revolts in other states has a California measure potentially affected America’s taxation policies so broadly. — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026 The controversy was touched off by a New York Post report that Gordillo lives in a spacious Bedford-Stuyvesant dwelling bought by his parents that is now undergoing renovations. — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, an electric color palette of zingy greens, bold reds, and Prussian blues–touched off with plenty of black accents–amplifies the property’s wildly original juxtaposition of antiquity and modernity. — Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The still-unknown circumstances around Wells’ death have touched off rampant online speculation and prompted calls from Black leaders for transparency from local authorities. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 The receivership touched off a painful community journey that brought on job reductions, layoffs and school closures as enrollment sharply declined. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 The order prompted the company to disable all global access to the two advanced systems and touched off intensive talks toward a resolution. — Josh Wingrove, Fortune, 27 June 2026 The plans have touched off stiff opposition from neighbors worried about soil erosion, already a problem in an area of steeply sloping topography, and potential well contamination. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for touched off

Verb

When that temperature surpassed 86 degrees, the roofs would be activated and players would be granted a ten-minute stoppage.

— Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
Guided Vision will be available in the system Accessibility shortcuts and can also be activated from the TalkBack menu.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of activated

Verb

While spoken language might benefit us in myriad ways, no single activity requires it, let alone explains what triggered its ongoing evolution over tens to hundreds of thousands of years.

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
His remarks triggered fierce criticism and prompted Berlin artistic director Tricia Tuttle to publicly defend artists’ right to decide whether or not to speak on political issues.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of triggered

Verb

In the Boryspil district, a fire sparked by a strike partially destroyed a nine-story residential building.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
Pizza has even sparked nationwide debates about which city has the best pie, with notable contenders being Chicago-style pizza and thin-crust New York pizza.

— Julia Gomez, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of sparked

Verb

Ohtani threw about 20 pitches in a bullpen session Friday and wasn’t 100%, and that set off alarm bells with the Dodgers’ bosses.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Whether your fall plans include low-key weekends at home, jet-setting off on vacation, or spending long days in the office, a pair of well-fitting, comfortable pants is the fashion staple that can do it all.

— Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of set off

Verb

The Middle East war and the resulting shipping disruption through the Strait of Hormuz drove up global commodity costs, further squeezing Beijing's own appetite for commodity imports.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Matson testified that Paul Robinson visited to the fraternity house two days after his son posted bail, then drove with Matson to retrieve the safe while his son packed at the fraternity house.

— Finch Walker, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of drove

Browse Nearby Words

touched down

touched off

touched (on)

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“Touched off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touched%20off. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of touched off

verb

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