touch off

verb

touched off; touching off; touches off

transitive verb

1
a
: to provoke or initiate with sudden intensity
the verdict touched off local riots
b
: to cause to explode by or as if by touching with fire
2
: to describe or characterize with precision

Examples of touch off in a Sentence

his obscene comment touched off a heated debate about the need for censorship on live broadcasts
Recent Examples on the Web The chokehold death of Neely touched off a series of protests and vigils in the days following the episode. Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 8 Aug. 2024 The early strategizing underscored the magnitude of the justices’ landmark decision, which rattled the nation’s capital and now appears poised to touch off years of lawsuits that could redefine the U.S. government’s role in modern American life. Tony Romm, Washington Post, 30 June 2024 The sensational revelations touched off sustained protests and rising tension, setting Macedonia up for a violent confrontation. Edward P. Joseph, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 2017 Firefighters in Israel were battling blazes touched off by Hezbollah's aerial assault that came hours after the death of the high-ranking Abdullah. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 13 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for touch off 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'touch off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1694, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of touch off was in 1694

Dictionary Entries Near touch off

Cite this Entry

“Touch off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touch%20off. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

Kids Definition

touch off

verb
: to start by or as if by touching with fire
the announcement touched off riots
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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