# triggered

/ˈtɹɪɡɝd/ (US) · /tɹˈɪɡəd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/triggered
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to cause a reaction

verb · CEFR B2

to make something happen suddenly, especially a process or a reaction.

For teachers: to initiate a process or reaction, often as the primary causal agent in a chain of events.

- The smoke from the burnt toast triggered the fire alarm in the hallway.
- The sudden collapse of the regional bank triggered a massive sell-off across the global stock markets as investors panicked.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice to describe an automatic or inevitable result.

### 2. emotionally distressed

adjective · CEFR B2

feeling very upset, shocked, or anxious because something reminded you of a bad experience.

For teachers: experiencing a strong emotional or psychological reaction, typically due to a stimulus that recalls a past trauma.

- He felt triggered by the loud noises because they reminded him of the accident.
- The therapist advised the patient to identify specific environments where they felt most triggered by sensory reminders of the event.

Usage: While originally a clinical term, it is now frequently used in general conversation to describe strong negative reactions.

### 3. angered or annoyed

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

feeling very angry or annoyed, often used to describe people on the internet.

For teachers: exhibiting a state of intense irritation or anger, often in response to a perceived social or political slight.

- He got triggered just because someone disagreed with his post online.
- The comment section was full of triggered users arguing over the controversial policy change.

Teaching tip: This sense is often used mockingly or dismissively in online debates; learners should use it carefully as it can sound rude.

## Examples

- The smoke from the kitchen triggered the fire alarm.
- The sudden drop in stock prices triggered a wave of panic selling across the global markets.
- The documentary triggered a national conversation about environmental policy, eventually leading to the passage of several landmark conservation bills.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.