as in belligerent
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Recent Examples of trigger-happy
Any Omega discovered within a colony’s borders is arrested to be exiled beyond the wall, or terminated on sight in cases where a trigger-happy government worker thinks their life is threatened by an Omega simply shouting.
—
Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2025
Critics often portray Truman's decision as an act of monstrous brutality—a flex of raw military might by a sadistic and trigger-happy superpower.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
As played by Paul Newman, William Bonney is a trigger-happy hothead who’s more misunderstood than evil.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 18 July 2025
The sadistic and trigger-happy Mr. Blonde was one of the 400 nominees for the American Film Institute's list of the all-time greatest movie villains.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for trigger-happy
Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2025
Critics often portray Truman's decision as an act of monstrous brutality—a flex of raw military might by a sadistic and trigger-happy superpower.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
As played by Paul Newman, William Bonney is a trigger-happy hothead who’s more misunderstood than evil.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 18 July 2025
The sadistic and trigger-happy Mr. Blonde was one of the 400 nominees for the American Film Institute's list of the all-time greatest movie villains.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for trigger-happy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trigger-happy
Adjective
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Such an approach—allowing aid to flow in a verifiably safe manner and free from interference by either belligerent party in a conflict or post-conflict situation—is urgently needed for Gaza, as well.—
Jeremy Konyndyk,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Oct. 2025
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Second, having quickly been identified by internet bloodhounds, the actual offending Polish paving magnate issued a belligerent non-apology.—
NEAL RUBIN,
Freep.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Instead Linda devolves, becoming more pugnacious and thin-skinned and pissed off.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
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The lieutenant governor is campaigning as the pugnacious, liberal choice in her matchup against Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., a more centrist Democrat who has won tough House races.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Fed up with Tony’s bellicose style and an unwillingness to meaningfully negotiate, Deerfield Beach would have to start its own police force and fire-rescue service — a major undertaking that will take two years.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Jan. 2026
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But Trump’s bellicose approach is sure to accelerate this trend.—
OLIVER STUENKEL,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Venus fuses with combative Mars in your 3rd House of Communication, mixing tenderness with intensity and pushing for words that match actions.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Jan. 2026
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During her speech, Paulson shared a bunch of text messages Keaton had sent her over the years, all of which were at once warm and acerbic, kind and a playfully combative.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Ludwig’s distant paternal ancestors were in fact German Jewish merchants, not warlike princes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
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To many Chicagoans, the warlike atmosphere is the result of the increasing aggression of the federal government.—
Geraldo Cadava,
New Yorker,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s the kind of chance that last season, a more aggressive-looking Stolarz would have used his frame — and frankly, his big-game presence — to turn away with ease.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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The agency has also faced criticism for aggressive tactics used by ICE agents in executing the president’s immigration policy.—
Andy Rose 19 hr ago,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Israel and the Lebanese militant group exchanged fire for over a year before reaching a ceasefire in November 2024.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Jan. 2026
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Iran has been plagued for years by staggering hyperinflation, fueled by Western sanctions imposed over the hardline clerical government's nuclear program and backing for militant groups across the region.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
France is in the midst of its worst political crisis in decades as a succession of minority governments seek to push deficit-reducing budgets through a truculent legislature split into three distinct ideological blocs.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
16 Oct. 2025
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France has been mired in crisis as a series of minority governments struggle to pass deficit-reduction measures through a truculent parliament, split between three ideological blocs.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trigger-happy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trigger-happy. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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