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.
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.