TRIGGER Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

trigger 1 of 2

verb

Definition of trigger

as in to activate

to cause to function mold triggers my allergies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

trigger

2 of 2

noun

as in stimulus

Related Words

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

Verb

The face-to-face meeting came as the King underwent treatment for cancer, and triggered speculation that the royal family’s long-running rift might be coming to an end. — Max Foster, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 The fermentation reduces gluten and breaks down FODMAPs—which, as mentioned, can trigger digestive symptoms in some people. — Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026

Noun

In cybersecurity, the equivalent appears when over-aggressive controls lock out real users, isolate healthy services, kill critical processes or trigger cascading operational disruption. — Abhik Biswas, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 These are often given ahead of a planned trigger, such as before an owner leaves the house or before a thunderstorm. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for trigger

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trigger

Verb

Court records detail police chase A police pursuit ensued, with the deputy’s lights and sirens activated.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
Our compassionate demeanor is activated, offering us the chance to understand ourselves and others on a soulful level.

— Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026

Definition of activate

Noun

The export and manufacturing-led economic resilience is expected to reinforce Beijing’s reluctance to roll out stimulus to revive tepid consumer demand.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 July 2026
In Vibe Science studies, the autonomic nervous system shifts toward parasympathetic activation as the brain entrains to the stimulus, producing lower arousal and readiness for sleep and recovery.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

Definition of stimulus

Noun

Beyond California, scientists are raising alarms over the planet’s warming oceans, which — coupled with a strong El Niño — could increase temperatures for land dwellers in the coming weeks.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
My parents tell stories about me sleeping through loud construction, alarms, and heavy knocks on my bedroom door.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2026

Definition of alarm

Verb

When a massive Sonoma Coast residential development pitch sparked fears that beach access would be lost.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Going forward, the Breakaway/Build model might spark more giving from foundations and corporations and others that are looking to give in simple, practical ways.

— Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 10 July 2026

Definition of spark

Noun

Rosier outlook But the outlook for the second quarter earnings season is more promising, and could be the catalyst the stock market needs to resume its rally, which has stalled since early June, according to Emanuel.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 13 July 2026
The purchase reflected Djokovic’s appreciation for architecture as much as real estate, with the athlete sharing that Piano’s work was a major catalyst for the purchase.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 July 2026

Definition of catalyst

Verb

Feedback will help guide future improvements for people who walk, bike, use transit and drive through the corridor.

— Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
When her husband, financier John Molner, returned home from the gym, the two drove to the campus of the Aspen Institute, where Couric was excited to hit the hot dog stand for lunch.

— Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 8 July 2026

Definition of drive

Noun

The impetus for the announcement was the ICE shooting death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas last week.

— Mauricio Torres, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
Reserves acted to dampen price pressure at the start of the war; now the impetus to refill them as the cold months approach could act to accelerate price pressure.

— Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

Just days after Meta introduced its Muse Image AI generator, the Mark Zuckerberg-run company has done a complete U-turn.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 10 July 2026
Residents arrange for projectors, audio speakers and power generators, Sikh temples and village community spaces become open-air theaters for an evening, and volunteers spread the word from one household to the next.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026

Definition of generator

Browse Nearby Words

trig

trigger

triggered

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“Trigger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trigger. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of trigger

verb

noun

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