trigger 1 of 2

verb

Definition of triggernext
as in to activate
to cause to function mold triggers my allergies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

trigger

2 of 2

noun

1
as in stimulus

Related Words
2
as in alarm

Related Words

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 trigger
Verb
Potatoes do best between 45°F and 50°F, cooler than room temperature but not cold enough to trigger other issues. — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026 This reaction was triggered by Kiffin, who had planned to sign tight end Dae’Quan Wright after the Cleveland Browns released him during the preseason. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
Stargazers have trigger words — total, bright, peak, maximum, best. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026 But Sankey lured the Longhorns away from the Big 12 — and helped trigger conference realignment — because of their football program. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trigger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trigger
  1. activate
  2. stimulus
  3. alarm
  4. spark
  5. catalyst
  6. drive
  7. impetus
  8. generator
Verb
  • Several other brands have activated during high-stakes competitions and inked their own collaborations that tap into the convergence of beauty and sports this year.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Ars Video When activated, Motion Assist adds small dots around the edges of your phone screen over top of the content.
    — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of activate
Noun
  • What is your approach to writing, in terms of outside stimuli?
    — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The third is to develop novel variations of your stimuli or your benchmark items in order to test robustness and generalization.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of stimulus
Noun
  • Ohtani threw about 20 pitches in a bullpen session Friday and wasn’t 100%, and that set off alarm bells with the Dodgers’ bosses.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Some Republicans have expressed alarm about the findings in the report, which was filed under seal and withheld from the public by the courts.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of alarm
Verb
  • In the episode that sparked the backlash, Piker claimed that pro-Israel Jewish leaders conflate Jewish identity with support for Israel, and cause anger at Israel to fuel antisemitism and endanger American Jews.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The investigation was sparked after the West Side safety net hospital came under fire for improperly doling out COVID-19 vaccinations soon after the shots became available.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of spark
Noun
  • But the designer suffered a fall from grace in 2011 after he was arrested for antisemitic and racist incidents, the catalyst for the backlash to his selection as the subject of the Met's exhibit and its accompanying gala.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • PGMs are vital to hydrogen technology, acting as catalysts in fuel cells to power electric vehicles.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of catalyst
Verb
  • As such, this is meant to be a workhorse that's also enjoyable to drive.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The song has a driving bass line and would be interesting to perform with a live band.
    — Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of drive
Noun
  • The impetus was Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, which contains gory scenes that are definitely too intense for young kids but more appropriate for teens, and thus, the PG-13 rating was born.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The maintenance needed on the 368,000 miles of roads in America’s national forests was one impetus for the Roadless Rule in 2001.
    — Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of impetus
Noun
  • The electricity harvested from the vehicle skin can run onboard systems, recharge battery banks, and reduce the fuel needed for auxiliary generators.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Rely on people with generators and those who understand how they can be safely deployed and shared.
    — Freida Graves, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of generator

Browse Nearby Words

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triggered
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Cite this Entry

“Trigger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trigger. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on trigger

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about trigger

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