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Triggered - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Triggered describes a strong emotional reaction, often anger or distress, caused by something that reminds someone of a past trauma or sensitive issue. It is commonly used in discussions about mental health and online debates.

triggered

/ˈtrɪɡərd/ /ˈtrɪɡəd/

Definition:

Caused to start or react, often emotionally or mechanically.

Synonyms:

provoked, activated, incited, sparked

Part of Speech:

adjective, verb (past tense)

Antonyms:

calmed, soothed

Common Collocations:

triggered response, triggered memory, triggered alarm, triggered emotion

Derivatives:

trigger, triggering, triggers

Usage Tips:

Use "triggered" to describe an emotional reaction or the activation of a mechanism; avoid overuse in casual contexts.

Common Phrases:

trigger warning, pull the trigger, quick on the trigger

Etymology:

From Dutch "trekker" (to pull), referring to a mechanism's release; later extended to emotional reactions.

Examples:

  • 1. The loud noise triggered her anxiety.
  • 2. His comment triggered a heated argument.
  • 3. The smoke triggered the fire alarm.
  • 4. She felt triggered by the sad movie scene.

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