triggered
Americanadjective
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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.
-
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.
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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
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of triggered
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.
Triggered by a hereditary condition, his heart stopped.
From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026
Triggered by an intense geomagnetic storm, the northern lights made a rare visit to the Southland on Tuesday night, painting the skies above the Angeles National Forest in dazzling pink and purple hues.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2025
Triggered by alterations in solar radiation, the 'Walker switch' influences climate patterns across the globe, including high northern latitudes.
From Science Daily • Oct. 19, 2023
Triggered intentionally by distraction-app peddlers, the physical distress arrives via non-physical triggers on your screen.
From Salon • Jun. 18, 2023
Triggered by emergency systems, control rods automatically shot up into the reactor cores, putting a damper on the movement of neutrons between the fuel rods.
From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
