Definitions

touch off

VERB

detonate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

blast blow up burst explode

STRONG

bang discharge fulminate mushroom

WEAK

kablooey let go push the button shoot off va-voom

Antonyms

WEAK

dismantle

VERB

erupt

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appear blow up break out burst detonate explode flare up go off spew

STRONG

belch boil discharge emit eruct extravasate gush hurl jet rupture spit spout spurt vent vomit

WEAK

cast out pour forth throw off

Antonyms

STRONG

be quiet

VERB

excite

Synonyms

STRONGEST

agitate amaze anger animate annoy astound bother delight disturb energize irritate offend thrill turn on vex work up worry

STRONG

accelerate arouse awaken chafe discompose electrify elicit evoke fire fluster foment galvanize goad incite induce inflame infuriate instigate intensify jar jolt kindle madden mock move precipitate provoke quicken rouse start stimulate taunt tease titillate waken warm whet

WEAK

feed the fire stir up wake up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist calm depress discourage help make happy please quiet reassure soothe

STRONG

bore cool dampen deter disenchant dishearten dissuade dull end halt hinder praise prevent put out repress retard slow stop turn off weaken

WEAK

compose deaden lull moderate pacify tranquilize

VERB

fire

Synonyms

STRONG

enkindle ignite kindle light

WEAK

put a match to set ablaze set aflame set alight set fire to set on fire start a fire

Antonyms

STRONG

extinguish put out

VERB

fire

Synonyms

STRONGEST

discharge explode hurl launch shoot

STRONG

cast eject fling heave loose pitch shell toss

WEAK

let off pull trigger set off

VERB

ignite

Synonyms

STRONGEST

burn flare up inflame kindle

STRONG

enkindle fire light

WEAK

burst into flames catch fire put match to set alight set fire to start up take fire

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cool extinguish put out quench

STRONG

dull

VERB

motivate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

drive excite galvanize incline inspire persuade prompt propel provoke spark spur sway trigger

STRONG

actuate arouse bring cause dispose draw fire goad goose impel incite induce innervate inspirit lead move pique predetermine predispose quicken rouse sound suggest whet

WEAK

egg on give incentive innerve prevail upon set afoot set astir

Antonyms

STRONGEST

check discourage dissuade halt hinder prevent repress retard stop

STRONG

bore calm delay dishearten dull quiet slow

WEAK

depress disconcert

VERB

spark

Synonyms

STRONGEST

kindle precipitate provoke set off stimulate stir trigger

STRONG

animate excite

WEAK

set in motion

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm check discourage halt stop wait

STRONG

deaden

WEAK

cease

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

What she couldn’t have realized on that afternoon in the Dolomites was that her success would touch off a stunning gold rush for the rest of Team USA.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

Substitute Harvey Elliott put Liverpool back in front after 105 minutes, his 20-yard shot taking a crucial touch off substitute Christian Eriksen to swerve tantalisingly out of the reach of Onana.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2024

The move would have reduced the power of the group’s former leader Yevgeny V. Prigozhin and, analysts believe, helped touch off his failed mutiny against Russia’s military leadership.

From New York Times • Sep. 29, 2023

Water can get into the liftgate control computer, causing an electrical short that can touch off a fire.

From Seattle Times • May 16, 2023

Frustration over the lack of progress in housing and employment issues kept tensions high in Durham, with only a spark needed to touch off an explosion.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

touch off

Example Sentences

Related Words