trigger-happy

adjective

trig·​ger-hap·​py ˈtri-gər-ˌha-pē 

1

: irresponsible in the use of firearms

especially : inclined to shoot before clearly identifying the target

2

a

: inclined to be irresponsible in matters that might precipitate war

b

: aggressively belligerent in attitude

Examples of trigger-happy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rattled by the mystery of the bull, Bum-seok (Hwang Jung-min), the bumbling, trigger-happy police chief of Hope Harbor, drives back into town and is confronted with a disaster zone. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

But one member of the team, a trigger-happy meathead, reacts out of fear and mistrust, slamming the door shut on the water column. — Jenny Odell, Longreads, 2 June 2026

Executive Director Nadav Weiman, a veteran who served in Gaza but not in this war, said distance from the target and some trigger-happy soldiers can be problematic. — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026

Executive director Nadav Weiman, a veteran who served in Gaza but not in this war, said distance from the target and some trigger-happy soldiers can be problematic. — Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for trigger-happy

• chappie
• happy
• nappy
• pappy
• sappy
• scrappy
• snappy
• unhappy