TRIGGERS Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

triggers 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of trigger

as in activates

to cause to function mold triggers my allergies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

triggers

2 of 2

noun

plural of trigger

as in stimuli

Related Words

as in alarms

Related Words

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 triggers

Verb

Eating triggers saliva production, but a stone can keep the saliva from draining, causing the gland to swell. — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026 Before enrollment, people volunteering for the study would be screened for early signs of cancer because TB-4 triggers vessel growth and cell migration, which might exacerbate malignant growths. — CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 The outsider girl’s innocent invasion may just be the thing that finally triggers a war. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 Getting at least four stars triggers bonuses, which total $13 billion across the industry annually. — Bob Herman, STAT, 9 Oct. 2026 Leaving leaves in place triggers fundamental ecological benefits. — Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026 For fans, a setback such as this triggers a fear that has lived in the back of their minds since Arizona State’s 2024 playoff run. — Doug Haller, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 What exactly triggers rapid true polar wander events and how far the poles move during them remains unknown. — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026 Back on Earth, the band remain comatose and their predicament triggers an obscure rule of the underworld known as the Coma Clause, which keeps the Gates of Hell open to them for as long as their bodies remain alive. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026

Noun

Walz also is calling for the Legislature to re-pass a ban on binary triggers, modifications for semiautomatic rifles that fire a shot when the trigger is pulled and again while released, greatly boosting the weapon’s rate of fire. — Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for triggers

Verb

The agency rejected the recommendation, saying that using cameras that automatically activate when an officer pulls their weapon or activates a car siren could risk privacy concerns.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
And a few are very highly specific, such as the protease that activates insulin, which only cuts near a very specific series of amino acids.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of activates

Noun

It's needed because most alarms are sound-based, which doesn't help people who are deaf.

— Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Dropping two cylinders and losing almost three liters of displacement means there’s no option for shaking a garage on its foundations or setting off car alarms while waiting for a red light.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of alarms

Verb

Nothing sparks joy and jumpstarts the Christmas season like a food advent calendar.

— Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
This one, steeped in milk and cream, sparks off the roof of your mouth with a gentle chile burn and the pleasantly numbing zap of cloves.

— Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of sparks

Noun

A lot of the products that are in the market today and already approved will be the catalysts for growth for the balance of this decade.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
It is expected to be one of the first major catalysts for Panther Island.

— Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of catalysts

Verb

The ability for employees to find the best opportunities for themselves and for employers to find the best candidates for the job help to drive innovation, which drives productivity, which drives growth, Richardson has said.

— Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Oscar drives her home and, paralyzed by the situation, leaves her unconscious at her family’s door.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of drives

Noun

Westlake coach Rick Clausen said his team’s game at Ventura High remains on because the school has generators if power is cut off.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Data centers and trading floors run backup generators and failover sites because their businesses can’t stop when the power does.

— Ciaran Cosgrave, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of generators

Noun

Commercial incentives persist Koh said shipping companies around the world have continued looking for opportunities to navigate the Strait since the conflict erupted, with some operators prepared to accept higher risks and costs.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
These changes would reduce costs, free up management bandwidth and improve IPO formation incentives.

— Jeff Jacobs, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of incentives

Browse Nearby Words

triggermen

triggers

trihybrid

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Style

“Triggers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/triggers. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of triggers

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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