TOUCH OFF Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

touch off

verb

Definition of touch off

as in to trigger

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

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of touch off 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 But on its way to him, the ball took the smallest of touches off teammate Igor Matanović. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for touch off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for touch off

Verb

This week, Indonesian equities experienced another round of panic selling, triggered by reports that major index provider MSCI is considering downgrading the country's stock market status.

— , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
For some people, those changes are significant enough to trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder, a form of depression with a recurring seasonal pattern.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of trigger

Verb

Two letters redirect actions MuTRAP is a backdoor attack, also known as a Trojan attack, in which malicious behavior is embedded in a model and activated only when a specific trigger appears.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Ukraine received no warning from its partners ahead of the first wave of attacks, and information about a second wave arrived too late for air raid sirens to be activated in time, air force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said on national television.

— SAMYA KULLAB, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of activate

Verb

The news that Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Hurts has a likely season-ending injury of blood clots has sparked questions about how the condition developed in one of the NFL's top quarterbacks.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
In 2023, a series of regional bank failures sparked concerns that rising interest rates were ushering in a widespread crisis.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of spark

Verb

Zuckerberg and Wang want Muse Wonder and the more powerful Muse Wonder Full to drive Muse, Meta’s personal AI agent, which can act on people’s behalf.

— Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
To help banish the endless procrastination, National Geographic’s 2027 list of 25 must-visit destinations for the year ahead is one of its most timely and experience-driven recommendations yet.

— Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of drive

Verb

Authorities said in July that income and gains from overseas trusts owned by Chinese tax residents would be taxed at 20%, setting off a scramble for cash and alternative structures.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
As Prue and Curtis struggle to unravel the twisty lore of the obstacle-laden forest in their search for Mac, their outsider presence inadvertently sets off a long-festering showdown for control of the forest between its warring factions.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of set off

Verb

The next president may well also have more power to purchase equity stakes; legislation moving through the Senate would give the Pentagon explicit legal authority to do so.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is moving forward with a $4 million investment to run an ad featuring Democrat Amy Acton’s estranged mother after the video received fierce backlash.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026