TRIGGER Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

trigger 1 of 2

verb

Definition of trigger

as in to activate

to cause to function mold triggers my allergies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

trigger

2 of 2

noun

as in stimulus

Related Words

as in alarm

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 trigger

Verb

Drops in water levels amid a lack of rain have also disrupted ⁠shipping and tourism in Hungary and triggered water-use restrictions in more than 100 cities and villages. — Reuters, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026 More than 10 explosions were heard in a row, the journalists reported, adding that the intensity of the blasts triggered car alarms on the streets. — CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Noun

Despite being identified decades ago, the exact trigger of the joint-demolishing condition is still unclear. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 Gun owners should also use a gun safe, lockbox or trigger lock to prevent unauthorized access. — Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for trigger

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trigger

Verb

However, Daniel Palencia will pitch at Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday and could be activated soon, resuming his closer role.

— Greg Jewett, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
For organizations seeking meaningful ways to activate teams and elevate corporate culture, five actionable strategies can bring allyship to life well beyond a single date on the calendar.

— Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of activate

Noun

And Obama was being seen at the time as being completely irresponsible in pursuing stimulus.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
The services economy, more efficient technology, work-from-home policies and strong fiscal stimulus from tax decreases have enabled us to weather short-term oil spikes.

— Dryden Pence, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of stimulus

Verb

The massive influx of people, which totaled 70% of Ceuta’s resident population, sparked calls by local Spanish authorities for police and the army to establish order.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
In fact, this unassuming little coupe was the one car that sparked the global roadster boom of the early 1990s, when the MX-5’s huge popularity convinced European carmakers to create the Boxster, SLK, TT, Z3, MGF and Barchetta.

— Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of spark

Noun

The catalyst slowly broke down the hydrogen peroxide to produce oxygen.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026
But Mizuho echoes JPMorgan's positive view, choosing Walmart as a top pick in late July, and repeating an overweight investment opinion, citing improvements in its delivery network amomng other catalysts.

— Assiatou Hann, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of catalyst

Verb

Other experts say that unless Japan addresses the structural forces driving the weakness in yen, the intervention's effects are likely to be short-lived.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
Both have driven over 20B minutes of viewership on streaming platforms from January through June.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of drive

Noun

The impetus for restructuring Part D was the lack of a cap on patient out-of-pocket costs for prescription medicines.

— Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
The missing piece Hellerstein had been working on putting together the museum’s Ebbets Field room for about seven years, but Judy’s death was the impetus for completing the project.

— Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 30 July 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

Undermining trust By introducing an AI image generator as a Google Earth feature, Google risked undermining public trust in Google Earth as a reliable reference for providing authentic imagery of the real world, Ess said.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
This flexibility allows compact, off-grid nuclear generators to operate in isolated military posts and remote industrial sites.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026

Definition of generator

Browse Nearby Words

trig

trigger

triggered

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Trigger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trigger. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of trigger

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on trigger

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

colloquial

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

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

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes