trigger
noun
a small projecting tongue in a firearm that, when pressed by the finger, actuates the mechanism that discharges the weapon.
was triggering
-
past progressiveof trigger.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
In 2022, Australian Open doubles champion Nick Kyrgios complained that a fan was triggering his asthma by smoking courtside, prompting the umpire to ask supporters to refrain.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
“I thought I was just exhausted and stressed. I didn’t know breastfeeding itself was triggering the response, and I didn’t even know D-MER was a thing.”
From Slate ● Mar. 15, 2026
Harry wasn’t being rebuked; he was triggering the reaction the bit needed.
From Salon ● Dec. 6, 2025
To ensure that the ultrasound, not stress or fear, was triggering the temperature drop, the investigators turned to rats, which lack this natural response.
From Scientific American ● Jun. 5, 2023
It occurred to Pensaert and his co-workers that maybe some other, related virus was triggering the antibody production, protecting the little pigs.
From Science Magazine ● Feb. 4, 2022
