triggered

[trig-erd]

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

• untriggered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of triggered¹

trigger ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

When you know you have a support system, however, your body is less likely to be triggered by stressful events.

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Israel called up over 300,000 reservists after the 2023 attack, which left about 1,200 people dead and triggered the war in Gaza.

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Expectation that Federal Reserve policymakers will cut interest rates swiftly in 2025 triggered a rally in gold to kick off the year.

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“Staffing triggers,” indicating a shortage of controllers, have been driving some flight cancellations and delays in recent days, in addition to the more usual halts triggered by bad weather or construction at U.S. airports.

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Meanwhile, the “Hindenburg Omen,” another breadth indicator closely watched by technical analysts, has triggered twice.

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Related Words

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