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
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin now has the most goals in NHL history, a hallowed record that touched off reactions from around hockey and the broader sports world on Sunday.
—
John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
American trading partners reacted to Trump's tariffs announcement with condemnation and concern, warning that the measures could touch off a far-reaching and costly trade war.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2025
In September 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union jointly invaded Poland, touching off the Second World War in Europe.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Anger at the Kushner development has fused with anti-government protests, which touched off last November after the collapse of the roof at a train station in Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest city.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for touch off
John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
American trading partners reacted to Trump's tariffs announcement with condemnation and concern, warning that the measures could touch off a far-reaching and costly trade war.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2025
In September 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union jointly invaded Poland, touching off the Second World War in Europe.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Anger at the Kushner development has fused with anti-government protests, which touched off last November after the collapse of the roof at a train station in Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest city.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for touch off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touch off
Verb
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However, the app’s rising popularity quickly triggered national security and data concerns outside China due to Beijing’s requirement for domestic firms to share data with the PRC.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
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Market Volatility: The 2022 inflation spike triggered a 52% stock drop (from $170 to $82), exceeding the S&P 500's 25.4% decline.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Mars and Pluto activate your Leo-Aquarius axis on April 26, stirring questions about career, leadership, and emotional safety.—
Colin Bedell,
Them.,
18 Apr. 2025
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Troopers located the Tesla and allegedly observed the vehicle traveling in the center lane at approximately 30 mph with its four-way hazard lights activated.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The suspect could be seen smashing in a window with a hammer and throwing a Molotov cocktail into the room, immediately sparking flames, according to an arrest affidavit.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
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Furthermore, the latest tariff announcements have sparked a broad selloff in consumer discretionary stocks, disproportionately impacting Crocs given its manufacturing presence in countries like China and Mexico.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Ontario Home Builders’ Association warned last month that tariffs and counter-tariffs on steel and aluminum products would likely drive up the costs of construction materials, making building and buying new homes more expensive, worsening the housing affordability issue.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
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The study found a 6% annual decline, driven by poaching, habitat loss and weak law enforcement.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Judy Benjamin, PhD, now 80 years old, set off on Saturday, April 5, on a 3,000-mile journey across the country.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Traditionally, it has been understood that galaxies evolve either via gradual aging or by merging, during which the collisions can set off bursts of star formation.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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From 1991 to 2019, real median household income rose > 30%, largely powered by sustained consumption.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Your muscles, meanwhile, have grown both new capillaries to shuttle that blood as well as tiny energy factories called mitochondria, which power your stride.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The company intended to move the drug into late-stage testing, which is generally the last phase of development before a company submits the potential treatment to government regulators for approval.—
Time,
Time,
15 Apr. 2025
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The bill also included moving $1.1 million from the Constitutional Defense Fund into the Legislative Legal Defense Fund.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Touch off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touch%20off. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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