Meaning & use
triggered
Last updated
Caused to feel a strong, often distressing emotional reaction, especially one linked to past trauma.
See it in a sentence
The loud fireworks triggered painful memories for the veteran.
She felt triggered by the comment and had to step away from the conversation.
A note on using this word
Triggered has a specific clinical meaning related to trauma responses, but is also used more loosely, and sometimes dismissively, in everyday speech to describe any strong emotional reaction.
Words with a similar meaning
provokedupset
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
calmedsoothed
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