as in triggers
to cause to function
his obscene comment touched off a heated debate about the need for censorship on live broadcasts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touches off
Verb
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The potential solution presented by UCSD School of Medicine researchers is an anti-αvβ3 antibody that triggers macrophages, a type of immune cell already found in large quantities in advanced tumors.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Oct. 2025 -
The strict time constraints and what triggers the clock are also more restrictive in Colorado than in other states, noted Perczak.—
Sponsored Content,
Denver Post,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The position also activates your core and upper body, improving the function of your thoracic spine (the middle section connecting to your ribs).—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
14 Oct. 2025
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The 2025 October West Coast Storm disaster declaration activates state public and individual assistance programs, providing grants for infrastructure restoration, emergency medical and transportation costs, and temporary housing assistance.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The protagonist’s diabolical plot is fuelled by an unmanageable tangle of emotions, including raging jealousy, mercenary self-interest, and resentment of Eileen’s professional and intellectual accomplishments, which sparks shame at her own cosseted frivolity.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
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Brain breakthrough sparks hope The device, named SPIRAL (Strategic Precision Infusion for Regional Administration of Liquid), is a thin, flexible tube capable of delivering medication to multiple regions of the brain with high precision.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Each of the characters are extremely different, yet Ansari successfully drives home the point that empathy is what connects us all.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
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The modern world drives you back underground in a weird way.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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How Wisconsin's solar battery park powers 130,000 homes The Paris Solar farm began producing power in December 2024 and generates 200 megawatts of renewable electricity during the day.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
23 Sep. 2025
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This process, which powers the sun and stars, offers the potential for a virtually limitless power source.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Instead, Swift sets off in search of a knockout.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
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The Carbon offers Apple Find My tracker integration and has its own Turbo System Lock that kills the motor and (optionally) sets off lights and siren alarms when the bike is moved while disabled.—
Kevin Purdy,
ArsTechnica,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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This design is lighter than traditional night vision systems and places the weight in a way that moves with the soldier.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Touches off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touches%20off. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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