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Synonyms

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.


verb

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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of triggered

trigger ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )

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.

See Examples For:

It is facing intensifying Russian missile attacks alongside rare domestic political instability triggered by a sudden wartime shakeup of its defence leadership.

From Barron's Jul. 19, 2026

It's due to be replaced in 2030 by another windfall tax, which operators like more because it's only triggered when prices are high and falls back when they are low.

From BBC Jul. 19, 2026

So did the Bank of England in 2022, when a proposed tax cut by then-Prime Minister Liz Truss triggered a surge in yields.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 17, 2026

In a statement as chilling as it is insulting, Davis suggests that the protesters triggered a “Mother Hen” instinct that led the justice to rule against the administration on the birthright citizenship case.

From Slate Jul. 15, 2026

Jesper had expected them to rush into the courtyard as soon as he and Wylan triggered Black Protocol.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

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