Synonyms for

Triggering

Verb / ˈtrɪgɜ:ɪŋ / Another word for triggering — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Causing an emotional or psychological reaction, especially a painful one.

Synonyms & similar words

spark setoff sparkoff trip trigger activate touchoff actuate triggeroff provoking stimulating arousing instigating eliciting evoking exciting igniting awakening activating sparking inducing fomenting rousing galvanizing starting prompting

Synonyms by register

Formal

initiating provoking precipitating instigating

Informal

setting off sparking kicking off getting going

Literary

kindling arousing awakening

Antonyms

calming soothing pacifying reassuring comforting settling

Common collocations

  • triggering event
  • triggering mechanism
  • triggering factor
  • triggering response
  • triggering anxiety
  • triggering memories
  • triggering system

Word family

noun trigger
verb trigger
adjective triggering

Usage note

While 'triggering' can refer to the mechanical act of setting something off, it is increasingly used in informal contexts to describe something that causes distress or emotional upset, often related to past trauma.

Example sentences

  1. The graphic images in the movie were triggering for some viewers.
  2. The smell of freshly baked cookies is triggering for me.
  3. The mention of her ex-boyfriend was triggering her anxiety.
  4. The sound of fireworks was triggering for the dog.
  5. The news about the pandemic was triggering for many people.

Quotes

  • "Anything can be triggering, depending on your own experiences." - Lizzo
  • "I'm not very good at expressing myself through words, so I use my art as a way of triggering emotions." - Travis Scott
  • "There's something about the sensation of speed that triggers me." - Sebastian Vettel

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