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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 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 That touched off speculation that perhaps a bachelorette party or some kind of pre-wedding celebration was afoot. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026 The race has touched off negative campaign advertisements between Feenstra and leading opponent and businessman Zach Lahn. — Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 2 June 2026 In 1971, Nixon replaced Martin with a distinguished economist, Arthur Burns, whose policies touched off the great inflation. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touched off
  1. activated
  2. triggered
  3. sparked
  4. set off
  5. drove
Verb
  • It’s easily activated by touching the colored sections or spinning the rattle drum and features three modes, including animals, colors and xylophone.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Ten additional compatible sets feature SMART Tags and can be activated using SMART Bricks from an All-in-One set.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of activated
Verb
  • That triggered a crunch among many developers and brought on a downturn in the property market that has weighed on the broader economy ever since.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The boat’s capsize triggered a fleet of emergency vessels to the open waters between the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn shore.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of triggered
Verb
  • Messi had a shot saved at the beginning of the second half, but Palacios then sparked a move from one side of the pitch to the other as Nashville restored its lead in the 49th minute and seized control of the game.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The Correction veteran’s death sparked an outpouring of grief from well-wishers on social media.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of sparked
Verb
  • Exceptionally heavy rainfall, over 43 inches of it in the Big Island’s mountains, set off landslides and flash floods that wiped out roads on the island.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The move set off a panic rush for tax and legal advice, and a scramble for cash to meet the bill.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of set off
Verb
  • Clemens drove in three runs and Kaelen Culpepper added three hits for Minnesota.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Youssef Maziz drove a ball into the box on a free kick from 25 yards out on the near side following a Yevhen Cheberko yellow card.
    — Daily News, Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of drove

Browse Nearby Words

touched down
touched off
touched (on)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Touched off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touched%20off. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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