Meaning & use
triggers
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“triggers” is a form of “trigger”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Things that cause something to start, such as an event or situation that sets off a reaction.
Grammar: Plural of trigger: common triggers for headaches.
Patterns
- triggers for something
- triggers of something
Stress and lack of sleep are common triggers for her headaches.
The study looked at the triggers of sudden price rises.
Certain smells can be strong triggers of old memories.
nounplural
The small levers pressed with a finger to fire a gun.
Grammar: Plural of trigger: the weapon had two triggers.
The double-barrelled gun has two triggers.
The officer kept her fingers away from the triggers.
Safety locks stop the triggers from moving by accident.
verbtransitive
Causes something to begin or happen, often suddenly.
Grammar: Takes an object: the smoke triggers the alarm.
Patterns
- trigger something
- trigger a reaction in someone
Burnt toast often triggers the smoke alarm.
Peanuts can trigger a severe allergic reaction in some people.
A single comment sometimes triggers a long argument.
Common combinations
- common triggers
- Dust and pollen are common triggers for asthma.
- emotional triggers
- Therapists help people spot their emotional triggers.
- triggers an alarm
- Opening the door triggers an alarm.
- triggers a reaction
- The medicine sometimes triggers a rash.
- triggers a memory
- This song always triggers a memory of summer.
Synonyms and how they differ
- causes
- Causes is the general word, while triggers suggests setting something off quickly.
- sparks
- Sparks suggests a lively start, often of feelings or arguments, while triggers is more neutral.
- sets off
- Sets off is the informal phrasal verb and is common with alarms and reactions.
- prompts
- Prompts suggests encouraging an action rather than causing an automatic response.
Opposites
Word family
- trigger noun
- singular form of the cause
- triggered verb
- past tense and past participle
- triggering verb
- the -ing form
- trigger-happy adjective
- too ready to shoot or act
Commonly confused: triggers or causes?
triggers vs causes
Cause is the general verb for anything that makes something happen, while trigger suggests a quick or automatic start.
Practice
Dairy products often ___ headaches in her, so she avoids them.
Choose one answer.
Trigger means to set off a reaction. Cure would mean the opposite, and the other options do not fit the sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “triggers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.