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to trigger

to trigger

422 4.2
To cause something to start or happen
  • verb
  • /ˈtrɪɡər/
translation icon : provocar
  • A sudden change in temperature can trigger the activation of the sensor.
  • trigger a reaction
  • trigger a response
  • trigger a protest

Or they feel anger themselves or it triggers something else within them.

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Examples

  • Certainly, this unexpected event, initiated in October 1998, has triggered some nationalist protests and political tensions.

    Academic text (1999)
  • And so a positive thought triggers forward movement potentially.

  • And my goal here is to just trigger that conversation.

  • Action is the only thing that can trigger that change state.

  • Simple words, yet able to trigger powerful memories.

  • And so when this happens, you can trigger star formation in a gas cloud.

  • Studies have shown that various aspects of the built environment can trigger social isolation.

    Academic text (2011)
  • But anything like that can trigger this contagion.

  • Dr. Phil appealed for someone to give Kitchen a job, which triggered responses from across the country.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Any significant downturn of the U.S. economy could trigger an outbreak of protectionism.

    Academic text (1990)

Synonyms

to start
vsto trigger
1.0

To begin an action, event or process

is similar but covers causing events in many ways not only beginning
to cause
vsto trigger
1.0

To make something happen

is narrower focusing on initiating starts rather than any possible effect
to activate
vsto trigger
715 3.6

To make a machine, system, or account start working

is broader, causing things to start by various means not only enabling
to initiate
vsto trigger
426 4.5

To start something such as a project or discussion

is more general and can be accidental or sudden rather than planned
to induce
vsto trigger
168 5.3

Cause a process, event, or feeling to start

is the direct act of causing a start rather than using influence
to spark
vsto trigger
154 3.4

To cause something to start, often an idea or strong feeling

is the general act of causing starts not limited to quick sparks
to set off
vsto trigger
131 3.1

To cause something to start or happen

is similar but covers causing starts without implying quickness
to provoke
vsto trigger
115 3.7

Cause a reaction or feeling

is more neutral causing starts without aiming at an emotional response
to trip
vsto trigger
36 6.5

To make a switch or device start working by turning it on

is more general and covers causing starts beyond mechanical activation
to set in motion
vsto trigger
25 3.5

To make something begin to move or happen

is broader, including starts from various causes not only direct initiation
to touch off
vsto trigger
  • US
15 7.4

Make an event or strong reaction start suddenly

is about causing starts generally not always with sudden strong effects
to spark off
vsto trigger
  • Informal
1 3.9

To cause a sudden event or strong reaction to begin

is broader, able to cause starts that are sudden or gradual
to trigger off
vsto trigger
  • UK
1 5.1

To cause something to start suddenly

is more general and can start things gently as well as forcefully
to actuate
vsto trigger
  • Specialized
1 7.3

To make a machine start working

is less mechanical covering starts of events or actions beyond machines

Antonyms

1.0

To make something end and not continue

2.3

Stop something from happening or someone from doing it

Idioms

4 6.3

Being ready to act quickly when a chance or danger appears

Phrasal Verbs

96 4.9

Decide to do something after thinking about it for a while

1 5.1

To cause something to start suddenly

Compounds

trigger-happy
  • Offensive
16 8.2

Quick to use force without thinking

hair trigger
  • Specialized
5 7.8

A small gun part that makes it fire with a very light touch

1 8.4

A strong urge to act quickly without thinking

A small part on a gun that you pull to make it shoot

plutonium trigger
  • Specialized
9.9

A small metal device that holds plutonium and starts a nuclear explosion when explosives squeeze it

How Forceful

to unleash
201 4.3
to spark
154 3.4
to trigger
422 4.2
to instigate
36 6.9
to cause
1.0
to lead to
2.5

Surface Forms

trigger infinitive
triggered past
triggered past participle
triggering present participle
triggers third person singular

Etymology

Trigger comes from an old Dutch or Low German word like trekken meaning 'to pull', because you start many devices by a quick pull. So to trigger something is to cause it to start or happen.