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 dam failed, triggering a catastrophic flood and contributing to failures at other dams downstream. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026 Still, a currency collapse last year and high inflation triggered widespread unrest, and the regime slaughtered thousands in a brutal crackdown. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026

Noun

Reconnect Automation With Human Relationships The automation delivering the greatest return in my practice isn’t a CRM workflow or a process trigger. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 He isn’t believed to be the trigger man, but under Nevada law, helping to commit a murder is enough, prosecutors say. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trigger

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trigger

Verb

The Browns always envisioned defensive tackle Maliek Collins being activated from the physically unable to perform list in time to ramp up for the opener, and Collins is on schedule.

— Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Not even in World War II had this full continuity posture been activated in this manner, and Stafford had to execute a plan the nation had trained for but never used.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of activate

Noun

But any economic stimulus program runs the risk of causing inflation to spike, and many economists believe the pandemic-era stimulus was at least partially responsible for the rise in consumer prices that ensued over the following years.

— Joe Walsh, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
The edit intercuts old film reels, both archival B-roll and seeming home movies, to hint at how all these new stimuli jog Brooke’s memory.

— Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of stimulus

Noun

Desalination plants in the Gulf have been targeted and damaged during the US-Iran war, raising significant alarm in a region that depends overwhelmingly on this technology.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
The ruling, the first of its kind under Hong Kong’s Societies Ordinance, has raised alarms over freedom of association as authorities continue tightening controls after the 2019 democracy protests.

— Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of alarm

Verb

Sorcinelli’s winning drama Balcanica revolves around the encounter between a conductor and his son who flee Afghanistan after music is banned and an Italian doctor that will spark life-changing choices.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026
There’s optimism for this season sparked by Harbaugh’s arrival, but this is a tough matchup for a new defense.

— Dan Duggan, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of spark

Noun

Its enormous death toll became a catalyst for major improvements in disaster preparedness and cyclone warning systems in the country.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
Meanwhile shares are down 8% this year, but the stock has plenty of positive catalysts ahead, by Goldman's lights.

— Michael Bloom, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of catalyst

Verb

Haaland, along with Martin Odegaard, was the driving force behind Norway’s run to the quarter-finals.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
If Assembly Bill 1709 is approved, social media companies would need to provide platforms to children under 16 years old that do not include personalized feeds driven by algorithms, autoplaying videos and other features.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of drive

Noun

But the original impetus concerned women not having to get their Manolo Blahniks stuck in the mud.

— Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
The Jets have no impetus to rush a trade — and Jets fans are well-versed in Cheveldayoff’s stubborn patience from Jacob Trouba’s 2016 contract holdout and trades involving Evander Kane, Trouba, Patrik Laine and Pierre-Luc Dubois.

— James Mirtle, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

The partnership brings battery-generator microgrids to public-sector sites where reliable grid power is limited.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Traffic lights were out at about 80 intersections, so city workers were using generators and placing stop signs at those intersections, the statement said.

— Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of generator

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trigger

triggered

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“Trigger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trigger. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of trigger

verb

noun

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