triggered
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to make something happen suddenly, especially a process or a reaction.
v.to initiate a process or reaction, often as the primary causal agent in a chain of events.
Simple“The smoke from the burnt toast triggered the fire alarm in the hallway.”
In context“The sudden collapse of the regional bank triggered a massive sell-off across the global stock markets as investors panicked.”
UsageOften used in the passive voice to describe an automatic or inevitable result.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.feeling very upset, shocked, or anxious because something reminded you of a bad experience.
adj.experiencing a strong emotional or psychological reaction, typically due to a stimulus that recalls a past trauma.
Simple“He felt triggered by the loud noises because they reminded him of the accident.”
In context“The therapist advised the patient to identify specific environments where they felt most triggered by sensory reminders of the event.”
UsageWhile originally a clinical term, it is now frequently used in general conversation to describe strong negative reactions.
SynonymsAntonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
adj.feeling very angry or annoyed, often used to describe people on the internet.
adj.exhibiting a state of intense irritation or anger, often in response to a perceived social or political slight.
Simple“He got triggered just because someone disagreed with his post online.”
In context“The comment section was full of triggered users arguing over the controversial policy change.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is often used mockingly or dismissively in online debates; learners should use it carefully as it can sound rude.
“The reports have triggered a storm over pilot drug testing and aviation safety in India.”
“I don’t think anybody really knows exactly what triggered this, but he starts to talk a lot about it publicly in the mid-60s.”