Trigger — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈtri-gər/ trig·ger

Meaning & Definition of Trigger

Trigger (noun)

  1. a piece (such as a lever) connected with a catch or detent as a means of releasing it; especially, the part of the action moved by the finger to fire a gun
  2. a similar movable part by which a mechanism is actuated
  3. something that acts like a mechanical trigger in initiating a process or reaction

Trigger (verb)

  1. to release or activate by means of a trigger; especially, to fire by pulling a mechanical trigger
  2. to cause the explosion of
  3. to initiate, actuate, or set off by a trigger

Trigger (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cause to function

    "mold triggers my allergies"

    similar: activate, actuate, crank (up), drive, move, run, set off, spark, start, touch off, turn on
    related: kick over, turn over, charge, electrify, energize, fire, fuel, generate, power, push, discharge, launch, release, switch, trip, reactivate, recharge, arouse, excite, jump-start, kick-start, stimulate, vitalize, ignite, incite, instigate, provoke, quicken, stir up, accelerate, catalyze, speed (up), step up
    opposite: cut, cut out, deactivate, kill, shut off, turn off
    near: arrest, brake, check, cut off, draw up, halt, jam, stall, stick, stop, decelerate, repress, slow, stunt, suppress

Trigger (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in power, stimulus

    similar: activator, animator, catalyst, driver, energizer, executor, generator, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, instigator, launcher, mover, power, stimulus, agency, agent, instrument, instrumentality, machinery, means, medium, ministry, organ, vehicle, determinant, expedient, factor, influence, ingredient, mechanism, tool, weapon, antecedent, cause, occasion, reason, subagency, subagent

  2. as in alarm

    similar: alarm, electric eye, photoelectric cell, eye, detector, sensor

Related Entry: Trig (adjective)

Trig is a different word from Trigger. The synonyms below are for trig, not for trigger.

  1. being clean and in good order

    "to the office she wears trig two-piece suits that are fashionable but still businesslike"

    similar: antiseptic, bandbox, crisp, groomed, kempt, neat, orderly, picked up, prim, shipshape, smug, snug, tidied, tidy, trim, uncluttered, well-groomed
    related: dapper, natty, saucy, smart, spiffy, spruce, immaculate, spick-and-span, spotless, rakish, sleek, streamlined, taut, organized, straight, systematic
    opposite: disheveled, disordered, disorderly, messy, mussed, mussy, sloven, slovenly, unkempt, untidy
    near: scruffy, seedy, shabby, slipshod, sloppy, dirty, filthy, foul, nasty, sordid, squalid, dowdy, frowsy, rumpled, tousled, tumbled, disorganized, unsystematic

Related Entry: Trigger-happy (adjective)

Trigger-happy is a different word from Trigger. The synonyms below are for trigger-happy, not for trigger.

  1. as in belligerent, combative

    similar: argumentative, bellicose, belligerent, combative, contentious, discordant, disputatious, gladiatorial, pugnacious, quarrelsome, truculent, warlike, aggressive, ambitious, assertive, enterprising, fierce, go-getting, high-pressure, in-your-face, militant, pushy, self-asserting, self-assertive, hyperaggressive, overambitious, dynamic, energetic, gung ho, hustling, strenuous, vigorous, emphatic, obtrusive, adventuresome, adventurous, daring, dashing, emboldened, gutsy, venturesome, venturous, audacious, bold, brash, brassy, bumptious, cheeky, cocksure, cocky, confident, determined, forward, impudent, insolent, overconfident, presumptuous, unapologetic, unsubdued, unyielding, bare-knuckle, feisty, scrappy, dominating, domineering, imperious, lordly, magisterial, overbearing
    opposite: ambitionless, low-pressure, nonassertive, unaggressive, unambitious, unassertive, unenterprising, easygoing, laid-back, relaxed, acquiescent, amenable, compliant, deferential, docile, resigned, submissive, tractable, yielding, cowering, cringing, groveling, shrinking, bashful, demure, diffident, humble, lowly, meek, mild, modest, mousy, overmodest, passive, quiet, reserved, retiring, shy, subdued, timid, unobtrusive, obsequious, servile, slavish, subservient

Related Entry: Hair-trigger (adjective)

Hair-trigger is a different word from Trigger. The synonyms below are for hair-trigger, not for trigger.

  1. as in hypersensitive, oversensitive

    similar: hyperacute, hypersensitive, oversensitive, supersensitive, accurate, clear, discerning, good, piercing, precise, receptive, sensible, subtle, acute, delicate, fine, keen, perceptive, quick, sensitive, sharp
    opposite: bad, deadened, dimmed, dull, dulled, fading, dead, imperceptive, insensible, insensitive, numb, imprecise, inaccurate

Related Entry: Pull (verb)

Pull is a different word from Trigger. The synonyms below are for pull, not for trigger.

  1. to cause to follow by applying steady force on

    "a team of horses pulling a heavy wagon"

    similar: drag, draw, hale, haul, lug, tow, tug
    related: attract, heave, jerk, yank, carry, convey, ferry, move, transport
    opposite: drive, propel, push
    near: shove, thrust

  2. to draw out by force or with effort

    "the dentist had to struggle to pull the tooth"

    similar: corkscrew, extract, prize, pry, root (out), tear (out), uproot, wrest, wring, yank
    related: mine, pluck, remove, take (out), withdraw
    near: implant, insert, install, instill, cram, jam, ram, stuff, wedge

  3. to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure

    "lift the crate carefully, or you'll pull a muscle"

    similar: rack, strain, stretch, wrench
    related: fray, tax, weaken, damage, harm, hurt, impair, wound, batter, bruise, tear, cripple, lame, mangle, mutilate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Trigger

The most common words with a similar meaning to Trigger:

activate, actuate, crank (up), drive, move, run, set off, spark, start, touch off, turn on, activator, animator, catalyst, driver, energizer, executor, generator, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, instigator, launcher, mover, power, stimulus, agency, agent, instrument, instrumentality, machinery, means, medium, ministry, organ, vehicle, determinant, expedient, factor

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Trigger

Words with the opposite meaning of Trigger:

cut, cut out, deactivate, kill, shut off, turn off

Related Words for Trigger

kick over, turn over, charge, electrify, energize, fire, fuel, generate, push, discharge, launch, release, switch, trip, reactivate, recharge, arouse, excite, jump-start, kick-start, stimulate, vitalize, ignite, incite, instigate, provoke, quicken, stir up, accelerate, catalyze

Near Antonyms of Trigger

arrest, brake, check, cut off, draw up, halt, jam, stall, stick, stop, decelerate, repress, slow, stunt, suppress

Word Forms of Trigger

Inflections: triggered, triggering

Origin & Etymology of Trigger

alteration of earlier tricker, from Dutch trekker, from Middle Dutch trecker one that pulls, from trecken to pull trek

First known use: 1621

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Trigger

Words & Phrases Containing Trigger

trigger-happy, trigger law, trigger point, hair-trigger, hair trigger, pull the trigger, quick on the trigger

Frequently Asked Questions about Trigger

What does "Trigger" mean?

"Trigger" means a piece (such as a lever) connected with a catch or detent as a means of releasing it; especially, the part of the action moved by the finger to fire a gun. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a piece (such as a lever) connected with a catch or detent as a means of releasing it; especially, the part of the action moved by the finger to fire a gun. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Trigger"?

Other words for "Trigger" include activate, actuate, crank (up), drive, move, run, set off and spark. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Trigger" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Trigger"?

There are 89 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Trigger". Common alternatives include activate, actuate, crank (up), drive, move, run, set off, spark, start and touch off.

What is the opposite of "Trigger"?

Antonyms of "Trigger" include cut, cut out, deactivate, kill, shut off and turn off. Near antonyms include arrest, brake, check and cut off.

How do you use "Trigger" in a sentence?

Examples of "Trigger" in a sentence: "mold triggers my allergies".

Is "Trigger" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Trigger" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Trigger" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Trigger" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Trigger"?

"Trigger" is pronounced /ˈtri-gər/ and divided into syllables as trig·ger.