as in to activate
to cause to function
mold triggers my allergies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in stimulus
Related Words
2
as in alarm
Related Words
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 trigger
Juliana Kim, NPR, 7 Mar. 2026
By evening, levels of a hormone called melatonin begin to surge, triggering drowsiness.
—Lauran Neergaard, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Hauser closed the first quarter by missing a 3-pointer, gathering his own rebound and hitting a quick-trigger midrange jumper as time expired.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trigger
Verb
The conflict also triggered political tensions and economic upheaval, drawing incountries far beyond the Middle East.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 7 Mar. 2026
By evening, levels of a hormone called melatonin begin to surge, triggering drowsiness.
—Lauran Neergaard, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
Sometimes an environmental trigger switches on a disease that otherwise could have remained dormant.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Hauser closed the first quarter by missing a 3-pointer, gathering his own rebound and hitting a quick-trigger midrange jumper as time expired.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trigger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trigger
Verb
-
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The crash caused severe front-end damage to the sedan and activated its airbags, video from news-gathering agency OnScene shows.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Our market reacts to rate cuts more than any other stimulus.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
8 Mar. 2026
-
But economists expressed disappointment over the government’s limited stimulus.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Pollack was one of the first in the national media to raise alarms about Georgia’s lack of pass rush last season, something that proved to be a season-long issue.—
Connor Riley,
AJC.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Some Republicans, too, are sounding alarms.—
Aamer Madhani,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The conflict was sparked by Hezbollah targeting Israel after the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, breaking a 2024 ceasefire that in any case had largely failed.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The increase would make LAX rides among the world’s most expensive, sparking opposition from Uber, Lyft, travelers, and state lawmakers.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Contemplate how these polling results differ between owners and renters and the catalysts behind these divides.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The Rockies brought in Willi Castro, 28, to be a veteran catalyst on the team.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Yet, Whitman-Hanson had one final gasp, as Pierre drove to the basket.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The neighborhood/area The immediate neighborhood around the resort doesn’t offer much beyond lush greenery, but drive about 15 minutes west to find the famous Alona Beach, a particularly scenic strip of sand bookended by dramatic rock walls.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That entrepreneurial bent was a major impetus behind For Denver FC’s earliest efforts—along with a love of the game and gender-equity activism.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
And that gave William the impetus and the confidence to go forward and cement his relationship with Catherine.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While most missing items are typical things that people travel with like cellphones, backpacks and glasses, Diaz said there have been a number of unique items turned in, including a prosthetic leg, musical instruments, 55-inch-screen TVs and large generators.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The upcoming EREVs, meanwhile, drive like all-electric vehicles until an engine kicks in and works as a generator to power the vehicle’s electric motors when the vehicle’s battery is depleted.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trigger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trigger. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
