triggered

American  

[trig-erd] / ˈtrɪg ərd /

adjective

1. started, set in motion, or released by a specified thing or in a specified way.

   I saw an article online about obesity-triggered heart disease.

   When any of the cameras detects a motion, the LCD screen displays live video from the triggered camera.

2. fired or exploded by pulling a trigger or releasing a triggering device.

   One of the triggered missiles blew up in the second level of the building, injuring three people.

3. having an intense negative emotional reaction to something, usually something connected with past trauma or a bad experience.

   When a stressful social encounter makes me feel triggered and panicky, I try to distance myself from the situation.

   Consider using a triggered state, such as anger or anxiety, as a signal to yourself to pause and relax.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of trigger.

Other Word Forms

• untriggered adjective

Etymology

Origin of triggered

trigger ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

An air raid alert was triggered during the night across the entire country.

From Barron's

These outbreaks occur when algae grow rapidly and excessively, often triggered by high nutrient levels and warmer water temperatures.

From Science Daily

Each time, they were asked to describe what they were doing at that moment and indicate whether the action was triggered by habit or performed intentionally.

From Science Daily

President Claudia Sheinbaum unveiled the country's security plan less than two weeks after an explosion of violence in Guadalajara, and other parts of the country, triggered by the death of a notorious drug lord.

From Barron's

Her firing triggered an immediate rush of snarky content across social media, and a sharp a comment or two from prominent politicians.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bring about
• cause
• generate
• produce
• prompt
• provoke
• set off
• spark
• start