trigger
1 of 2noun
trig·ger ˈtri-gər 
1
a
: a piece (such as a lever) connected with a catch or detent as a means of releasing it
especially : the part of the action moved by the finger to fire a gun
b
: a similar movable part by which a mechanism is actuated
trigger of a spray gun
2
: something that acts like a mechanical trigger in initiating a process or reaction
trigger
2 of 2verb
triggered; triggering ˈtri-g(ə-)riŋ
transitive verb
1
a
: to release or activate by means of a trigger
especially : to fire by pulling a mechanical trigger
trigger a rifle
b
: to cause the explosion of
trigger a missile with a proximity fuse
2
: to initiate, actuate, or set off by a trigger
an indiscreet remark that triggered a fight
a stimulus that triggered a reflex
3
: to cause an intense and usually negative emotional reaction in (someone)
Water had a way of triggering my brother and making ordinary, everyday weather take a frightening turn for the worse.
Ingrid Law
Ingrid Lawintransitive verb
: to release a mechanical trigger
Synonyms
Verb
- activate
- actuate
- crank (up)
- drive
- move
- run
- set off
- spark
- start
- touch off
- turn on
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb Smoke triggered the fire alarm. The timer was set to trigger the bomb in exactly one hour. His remarks triggered a public outcry. Certain foods trigger his headaches. The power outage was triggered by heavy rains.
Recent Examples on the Web Bruce Schreiner, ajc, 14 Sep. 2022 The O’Rourke campaign’s first two TV ads, released in late August, condemn the trigger law in manifestly Texan terms. Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2022 In Texas, a trigger law banning abortions with few exceptions took effect Thursday. Jacquelyne Germain, CNN, 27 Aug. 2022 One of the bills strengthened a 2006 trigger law on the books. ABC News, 26 Aug. 2022 Under both the new trigger law and the previous heartbeat law, doctors who violate the law risk felony convictions and up to 15 years in prison. Kimberlee Kruesi, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Aug. 2022 Demand for services from funds that will help pay for out-of-state abortions was already way up, the Texas Tribune reports, after the six-week ban initially went into effect last year, and the trigger law may likely have a similar effect. Michael Murney, Chron, 26 Aug. 2022 North Dakota’s trigger law is scheduled to take effect Friday. Kimberlee Kruesi, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2022 Meanwhile, North Dakota's trigger law is scheduled to take effect Friday. CBS News, 25 Aug. 2022 Sarah D. Wire, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2022 Second, the requirement could trigger a wave of lawsuits. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 That could trigger a plunge in the ruble and a spike in inflation. Fortune, 6 Sep. 2022 And, crucially, this awareness could trigger more research. Julia Métraux, Allure, 26 Aug. 2022 While some rain let up on Thursday, days of downpours have left grounds highly saturated, so any additional water could still trigger disastrous floods. Steve Strouss, NBC News, 25 Aug. 2022 The solar winds alone could trigger a minor geomagnetic storm on Wednesday, but those conditions are expected to escalate to strong conditions, known as G3, once the solar bursts make their appearance. Li Cohen, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2022 Any violation of those rules could trigger a harsh 10% recapture penalty that applies not only to the distribution in question, but also retroactively to all distributions previously taken under the payments plan. Leonard Sloane, WSJ, 5 Aug. 2022 And that could trigger a 1986 law that would force the state to give some of that surplus to taxpayers -- maybe as much as $2.5 billion. Teresa M. Hanafin, BostonGlobe.com, 28 July 2022 See More
Noun
Once that occurred, the 2019 trigger law called for the immediate end of almost all abortions. Bruce Schreiner, ajc, 14 Sep. 2022 The O’Rourke campaign’s first two TV ads, released in late August, condemn the trigger law in manifestly Texan terms. Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2022 In Texas, a trigger law banning abortions with few exceptions took effect Thursday. Jacquelyne Germain, CNN, 27 Aug. 2022 One of the bills strengthened a 2006 trigger law on the books. ABC News, 26 Aug. 2022 Under both the new trigger law and the previous heartbeat law, doctors who violate the law risk felony convictions and up to 15 years in prison. Kimberlee Kruesi, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Aug. 2022 Demand for services from funds that will help pay for out-of-state abortions was already way up, the Texas Tribune reports, after the six-week ban initially went into effect last year, and the trigger law may likely have a similar effect. Michael Murney, Chron, 26 Aug. 2022 North Dakota’s trigger law is scheduled to take effect Friday. Kimberlee Kruesi, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2022 Meanwhile, North Dakota's trigger law is scheduled to take effect Friday. CBS News, 25 Aug. 2022 Verb
Public requests for the document could trigger declassification starting in 2029. Sarah D. Wire, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2022 Second, the requirement could trigger a wave of lawsuits. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 That could trigger a plunge in the ruble and a spike in inflation. Fortune, 6 Sep. 2022 And, crucially, this awareness could trigger more research. Julia Métraux, Allure, 26 Aug. 2022 While some rain let up on Thursday, days of downpours have left grounds highly saturated, so any additional water could still trigger disastrous floods. Steve Strouss, NBC News, 25 Aug. 2022 The solar winds alone could trigger a minor geomagnetic storm on Wednesday, but those conditions are expected to escalate to strong conditions, known as G3, once the solar bursts make their appearance. Li Cohen, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2022 Any violation of those rules could trigger a harsh 10% recapture penalty that applies not only to the distribution in question, but also retroactively to all distributions previously taken under the payments plan. Leonard Sloane, WSJ, 5 Aug. 2022 And that could trigger a 1986 law that would force the state to give some of that surplus to taxpayers -- maybe as much as $2.5 billion. Teresa M. Hanafin, BostonGlobe.com, 28 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
alteration of earlier tricker, from Dutch trekker, from Middle Dutch trecker one that pulls, from trecken to pull — more at trek
First Known Use
Noun
1621, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1916, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Phrases Containing trigger
Kids Definition
trigger
noun
trig·ger ˈtri-gər
: the part of the lock of a gun that is pressed to release the hammer so that it will fire
trigger 1 of 2
verb
as in to activate
to cause to function mold triggers my allergies Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- activate
- spark
- drive
- generate
- move
- actuate
- power
- provoke
- fuel
- ignite
- push
- start
- set off
- touch off
- fire
- turn on
- run
- switch
- charge
- stimulate
- release
- launch
- electrify
- energize
- incite
- reactivate
- discharge
- crank (up)
- instigate
- accelerate
- turn over
- arouse
- kick over
- catalyze
- stir up
- excite
- recharge
- trip
- quicken
- kick-start
- vitalize
- step up
- jump-start
- speed (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- kill
- deactivate
- brake
- cut
- stop
- halt
- shut off
- stick
- arrest
- suppress
- check
- cut out
- turn off
- cut off
- stall
- stunt
- jam
- slow
- decelerate
- repress
- draw up
trigger
2 of 2noun
1
as in stimulus
Synonyms & Similar Words
- stimulus
- catalyst
- activator
- impetus
- generator
- incentive
- driver
- mechanism
- power
- executor
- cause
- machinery
- means
- instigator
- vehicle
- influence
- factor
- agency
- launcher
- inspiration
- weapon
- organ
- tool
- mover
- instrument
- instigation
- energizer
- instrumentality
- agent
- ingredient
- determinant
- animator
- ministry
- medium
- expedient
- antecedent
- occasion
- reason
- subagent
- subagency
2
as in alarm
Synonyms & Similar Words
- alarm
- sensor
- electric eye
- detector
- alarum
- photoelectric cell
- eye