triggering 1 of 2

Definition of triggeringnext

triggering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of trigger

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 triggering
Verb
Beijing has long struggled to drive domestic consumption, while brutal competition in many industries has pushed producers to cut prices, triggering a vicious cycle in which people hold off on purchases in anticipation of coming discounts. Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026 Doctors say the fine particles from air pollution can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream, triggering inflammation and a variety of health problems, including lung and heart disease. Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026 Indeed, the author points to Great Britain as an example of a nation triggering the limit at various points in time without weakening its geopolitical standing. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026 The Lyrid meteor shower put on a spectacular show last night as Earth plunged through the debris stream cast off by comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher), triggering a peak of activity that saw shooting stars blaze a path away from the blue-white star Vega in the constellation Lyra. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2026 Iran’s attacks on oil tankers before the ceasefire led to a plunge in traffic through the strait, triggering what’s been described as the largest oil supply disruption in history. Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026 On Tuesday, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who used to regularly pray at the shrine, sent a religious ornament instead for the second time as Japan's leader, triggering criticism from China and South Korea. ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026 Two Southwest Airlines jets got dangerously close near Nashville on Saturday, triggering collision alarms. Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026 More complicated commercial cases were on hold and took longer, triggering at least some delay. A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for triggering
Adjective
  • Then on May 1, amid the full moon in Scorpio, Venus will harmonize with Saturn in Aries, presenting the opportunity for something fun and thought-provoking to become real.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Indeed, Lee’s work tends to be rich, thought-provoking, and hyper-personal, but fully engaging in her use of clever materials and the occasional laugh-out-loud punchline.
    Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Its trillion-parameter system uses a Mixture-of-Experts approach, activating only a fraction of parameters per task.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
  • This suggests that activating a stress response siphons energy away from long-term maintenance processes.
    Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Sitting for long stretches, whether at a desk or while commuting, can slow circulation and trigger the release of inflammatory chemicals.
    Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Results from oral microbiome testing also revealed a link between blood pressure decrease and fewer inflammatory oral bacteria.
    Christina Manian, Health, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Najib headed security forces in Daraa province in 2011, when teenagers were arrested and tortured for antigovernment graffiti, sparking mass protests that escalated into Syria’s devastating civil war.
    Ghaith Alsayed, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
  • The video circulated rapidly on social media, sparking fury as at least two White victims were pummeled into the ground by a group of Black suspects.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The attack happened Saturday when an explosive device was detonated on a bus traveling along the Pan-American Highway in the municipality of Cajibio.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
  • The 6-3, 318-pound Hunter has good length (33 1/4-inch arms) but lacks explosive traits, as evidenced by his 21 1/2-inch vertical jump and 8-foot, four-inch broad jump.
    Tobias Bass, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • For Ioane, that comes in the form of driving a defensive lineman into the ground to clear a path for his quarterback or running back.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • But the judge said that Hallford made credible claims of being a victim of domestic violence and that her ex-husband, Jon Hallford, was the driving force in their relationship.
    Colleen Slevin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • According to the Attorney General's office, the defendants are accused of throwing incendiary devices at a Brasfield & Gorrie facility in Cobb County in May 2022, damaging property and igniting nearby land while employees were inside the building.
    Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Rivers’ claims were even more incendiary.
    Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Going to a zone defense slowed Minnesota down further in the fourth, but the Nuggets weren’t generating the shots they’re used to getting automatically.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Hengli has also purchased oil tied to Iran’s armed forces, generating hundreds of millions of dollars for the Iranian military.
    Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Triggering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/triggering. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.

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