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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Recent Examples of touched off
The plea deals and Johnson’s comments have touched off debates over Missouri’s gun laws.
—
Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026
In perhaps the most profound of the recent battles, the Central Florida Expressway Authority touched off an angry revolt by pushing a toll-road extension through a piece of the Split Oak Forest.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
Police say a driver possibly suffering a medical emergency touched off a five-car chain-reaction crash near Westfield Oakridge Mall on Saturday afternoon that left another motorist dead, and forced officers to pull the initial driver and a child from their burning vehicle.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
His death at age 80 has touched off a scramble among candidates seeking to fill the remainder of his term and take his seat in Congress for a full term beginning next year.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 2 May 2026
Their disappearance was not noticed for several hours and touched off a massive manhunt.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
This includes soaring gas prices at the pump, seesawing stock markets, rising food and fertilizer prices, higher shipping-insurance costs, and fuel shortages that have touched off violence, work stoppages, and profiteering in parts of Asia and Africa.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
Her announcement touched off a new round of progressive candidates backing away from the Iron Dome.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
The movie touched off nationwide controversy when it was first released because of the real-world violence that seemed to follow in its wake.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026
In perhaps the most profound of the recent battles, the Central Florida Expressway Authority touched off an angry revolt by pushing a toll-road extension through a piece of the Split Oak Forest.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
Police say a driver possibly suffering a medical emergency touched off a five-car chain-reaction crash near Westfield Oakridge Mall on Saturday afternoon that left another motorist dead, and forced officers to pull the initial driver and a child from their burning vehicle.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
His death at age 80 has touched off a scramble among candidates seeking to fill the remainder of his term and take his seat in Congress for a full term beginning next year.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 2 May 2026
Their disappearance was not noticed for several hours and touched off a massive manhunt.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
This includes soaring gas prices at the pump, seesawing stock markets, rising food and fertilizer prices, higher shipping-insurance costs, and fuel shortages that have touched off violence, work stoppages, and profiteering in parts of Asia and Africa.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
Her announcement touched off a new round of progressive candidates backing away from the Iron Dome.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
The movie touched off nationwide controversy when it was first released because of the real-world violence that seemed to follow in its wake.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touched off
Verb
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Preliminary findings from the train's black box showed the emergency braking system was activated only about 100 meters, or roughly 330 feet, before impact, which was not enough distance to stop the train in time, according to Thai PBS, as cited by the outlet.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
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The California Highway Patrol never issued an Amber Alert because Lee’s vehicle had already crossed into Mexico before the alert could be activated; an Endangered Missing Advisory was issued instead on July 11.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Foreign governments are dumping US Treasury bonds to stabilize their currencies amid the energy shock and financial volatility triggered by the Iran war.—
Tasneem Nashrulla,
semafor.com,
19 May 2026
-
The median 4-week loss after the sell signal is triggered has been 1%, according to the bank's review of 24 sell signals going back to 2011.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Verb
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This has sparked criticism from the opposition who say that calls for sacrifice now do little to address India’s deeper economic vulnerabilities.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 May 2026
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Kurtz, the reigning American League Rookie of the Year, sparked a six-run third inning with an RBI single, keyed a two-run sixth with a two-run single and added a two-run double in a four-run eighth.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
Verb
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That set off a week of dueling accusations between defense lawyers and prosecutors over the speed at which the conspiracy charge was dropped and what went on in the grand jury room.—
Hannah Meisel,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
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The first Orient Express famously set off on its maiden voyage in October 1883, traveling from Paris to Istanbul (then Constantinople) over three days.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Qassem and Hanan drove from one hospital to another, trying to find Malak, while Ali stayed behind and kept looking for Zahra.—
Rania Abouzeid,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
-
In the Patriot League, Madison Adams went 3-for-3 with two triples and drove in two runs, backing Caroline Arruda’s 11 strikeouts as Marshfield blanked Plymouth North 11-0.—
Kristina Banahan,
Boston Herald,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Touched off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touched%20off. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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