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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

triggers

2 of 2

noun

plural of trigger
1
as in stimuli

Related Words
2
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
Touch guides drone The first tactile contact triggers a change in the drone’s behavior. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026 That light exposure triggers the production of chlorophyll in the potato’s skin (the same pigment responsible for turning leaves green). — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026 When one hazard triggers another The disaster in Nepal shows why cascading events can be particularly difficult to anticipate, prepare for and survive. — Milad Haghani, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026 The project – selected for the Nordic Co-Production Market – sees an American dropout who tries to save her grandmother from dementia and accidentally triggers a zombie outbreak at a Norwegian nursing home. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 The training triggers a strong response in the bloodstream, increasing the mobilization of proteins and molecules in the hours following exercise. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026 Hibernation on demand Hibernation is a specialty of squirrels, hamsters, and bears, but the neural circuit that triggers it is conserved across mammals, and is present in species that never hibernate in the wild—like mice. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026 When an agent triggers an action, a dedicated runtime governance layer dynamically intercepts the request. — Barney Krishnan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Seborrheic dermatitis often occurs when your immune system overreacts to a type of natural yeast that lives on the skin, which triggers flaking and scaling. — Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 20 Aug. 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
  1. activates
  2. stimuli
  3. alarms
  4. sparks
  5. catalysts
  6. drives
  7. generators
  8. incentives
Verb
  • Vagal tone stimulation activates the vagus nerve to slow heart rate and lower stress hormones.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The bi-phase formula activates with a quick shake and absorbs effortlessly into skin.
    — Sheryl George, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of activates
Noun
  • Surrounded by the healing landscape of the Sonoran Desert, the luxe getaway has welcomed travelers seeking to put aside digital overload and other overwhelming stimuli in order to reconnect with the best versions of themselves.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
  • What is your approach to writing, in terms of outside stimuli?
    — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of stimuli
Noun
  • The ruling, the first of its kind under Hong Kong’s Societies Ordinance, has raised alarms over freedom of association as authorities continue tightening controls after the 2019 democracy protests.
    — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Summer generally offers reliable flying conditions, but also the year’s earliest alarms and largest crowds.
    — Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of alarms
Verb
  • The illusion of molten steel was basically water and mineral oil mixed with a little powdered sugar; creative lighting and heaters placed below the cameras—plus a few CGI sparks in the background—did the rest.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • She's tasked with completing the mercurial master's unfinished works, though Lori and Julian's relationship sparks needed connection and redemption for each.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sparks
Noun
  • PGMs are vital to hydrogen technology, acting as catalysts in fuel cells to power electric vehicles.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Affirm Holdings is likely to continue rallying thanks to several potential catalysts, even as the buy now, pay later fintech company just issued a modest forecast for near-term growth, according to Bank of America.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of catalysts
Verb
  • Reuse drives the design That reusable architecture could be just as important as the rocket’s lower unit cost.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The science behind rare disease drug development is changing fast, and with it, so is the financial engine that drives it all.
    — Brad Quick, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of drives
Noun
  • The electricity harvested from the vehicle skin can run onboard systems, recharge battery banks, and reduce the fuel needed for auxiliary generators.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Rely on people with generators and those who understand how they can be safely deployed and shared.
    — Freida Graves, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of generators
Noun
  • Industry stakeholders argued that the measure had the unintended consequence of hamstringing Hollywood’s recovery by limiting the ability of studios to use state incentives for in-state production.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Pritzker even signed a 2019 bill that encouraged the use of tax incentives to help ensure data-center growth.
    — David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of incentives

Browse Nearby Words

triggermen
triggers
trihybrid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Triggers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/triggers. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All