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
The tightening of the reins in the British Mandate for Palestine comes as Adolf Hitler and Germany invade Poland, triggering the beginnings of World War II, and as Jewish refugees fleeing persecution begin entering the region. Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026 In addition to the themes Common Sense Media highlights, the Trigger Warning Database's list also includes potentially triggering events or themes, like drugging, avalanches, poverty and more. Cody Godwin, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026 The images of that crash were shared widely online and caught Noah Williams' attention, triggering painful memories and taking him back to the day his own life changed forever. Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026 But hope has been quick to reverse to doubt on Wall Street, triggering manic swings back and forth for financial markets since the war with Iran began. Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026 Chicken allergies occur when the body's immune system mistakes chicken as a harmful invader, triggering an allergic reaction. Lindsey Desoto, Health, 1 Apr. 2026 Yet costs also jumped, triggering an overall loss of $23 million. Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 1 Apr. 2026 Wait a few hundred-thousand years, and another star will drift into our Oort cloud, perturbing it and potentially triggering new comets arriving in our inner Solar System. Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026 These seemingly innocuous actions can kindle dry grass, potentially triggering a wildfire. Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for triggering
Adjective
  • In fact, discussions about philosophy, politics and religion might be profound or thought-provoking to you.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Gosling voices the film’s thought-provoking questions about victimization and villainy with full commitment, and his rigidity — that tall posture, those limitless eyes — add another layer to the work.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • These spaces and events are activating an intergenerational, community consciousness and conversation.
    Jessi Roti, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
  • After all, with several planets in Aries activating your partnership sector, important conversations and turning points are almost inevitable in this area of your life.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Hasan Piker's emergence as a Democratic campaign surrogate has split the party between those who see him as a crucial bridge to millions of young voters and those who view his inflammatory rhetoric as a liability that could cost elections.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The White House has dismissed comparisons of the president to fascists as inflammatory and inaccurate.
    Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The proposal also is sparking opposition for what land — and trees — would be cleared to make way for the driving range.
    Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Fuel tanks at its main airport were also struck on Wednesday, sparking a large fire.
    Zach LaChance, The Washington Examiner, 5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The group Christians for Israel said the detonation targeted its Israel Center in Nijkerk and was caused by an explosive device.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Named after the infamous Japanese suicide pilots of World War II, these kinds of drones can actively hunt for targets, track them, and then ram into them, detonating their explosive payloads.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Cody Bellinger contributed to the Yankees erasing a four-run deficit through four innings by driving in three runs.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
  • While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Officiating became an incendiary subplot; controversial calls and no-calls stirred the pot in the first half without ever completely derailing the game once Denver and San Antonio got down to business later.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
  • The tone of negotiations this year has been far less incendiary amid an industry-wide contraction that has hit Hollywood’s writers hard.
    Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Below is a recap of the C-suite developments at America’s highest-revenue-generating companies announced between March 28–April 3, 2026, organized by sector.
    Fortune Editors, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Because developers are generating exponentially more tokens to drive performance and agentic behavior.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Triggering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/triggering. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

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