hair-trigger

adjective

Definition of hair-triggernext
as in hypersensitive

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hair-trigger There still tends to be more patience on the hoops side as far as hair-trigger firings or Lane Kiffin-style departures. — Justin Williams, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026 His hair-trigger homemade contraption pressured all three major networks into giving Kiritsis airtime to explain his grievances to the public. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026 But Halfmann suspects this hair-trigger system is needlessly killing brain cells in diseases like Alzheimer's. — Jon Hamilton, NPR, 16 Oct. 2025 They’re staffed around the clock and kept on hair-trigger alert. — Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hair-trigger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hair-trigger
  1. hypersensitive
  2. supersensitive
  3. oversensitive
  4. precise
Adjective
  • The amount may be infinitesimal—white sugar and bottled water are sometimes purified with charred animal bones, for instance—but some hypersensitive alpha-gal patients avoid the risk anyway.
    — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • However, people who are hypersensitive to other stinging insects are at higher risk of anaphylactic response to Asian needle ant stings.
    — Eva Flowe June 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2026
Definition of hypersensitive
Adjective
  • Across the world, dozens of supersensitive detectors have been installed since the beginning of the Cold War era to detect infrasound waves created by nuclear tests thousands of miles away.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 12 May 2025
  • Whitney Fields, 38, from Austin, was fed up with contacts scratching her supersensitive eyes.
    — Julia Ries, SELF, 9 Sep. 2024
Definition of supersensitive
Adjective
  • Most commenters on the TSR post agreed that Yung Miami meant no disrespect and that Lizzo was being a little oversensitive.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2025
  • The 8th and 9th are full of good energy, but everyone seems to be feeling oversensitive near the 13th.
    — Katharine Merlin, Town & Country, 1 Sep. 2023
Definition of oversensitive
Adjective
  • The term came into wider use following the 1962 Sino-Indian War to refer to the positions held by both sides after the conflict, although China and India continue to disagree on the precise alignment of the line in several areas.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026
  • This gives the aircraft the precise short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance needed to operate from a ship's deck.
    — David Szondy July 21, New Atlas, 22 July 2026
Definition of precise

Browse Nearby Words

hairstylists
hair-trigger
hairy
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Cite this Entry

“Hair-trigger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hair-trigger. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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