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Showing results for "triggered"
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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:

The campaign has triggered nationwide fuel shortages and, Kyiv says, dented Russia's financial war chest.

From Barron's Jul. 24, 2026

Villa would have preferred to keep Tielemans but could not afford to renegotiate his deal, which had two years left, before United triggered his £35m release clause.

From BBC Jul. 23, 2026

This time, the instant reaction triggered a steep fall in energy and defense-related share prices.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 23, 2026

As their savings ran out, she said, it triggered so much stress that she developed facial paralysis.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 22, 2026

Oddly, Cassano was as likely to direct his anger at profitable traders as at unprofitable ones, for the anger was triggered not by financial loss but by the faintest whiff of insurrection.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

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