EN

Synonyms for trigger

23 synonyms
8 antonyms
3 meanings

verb
noun

Most common

activate actuate spark spark off cause initiate

Synonyms by meaning

Verb

1. Activate — to fire (a weapon); to set off or trip (a mechanism or function of a device)

activate, actuate, spark, spark off, touch off, lead to, fire, induce, trip, detonate, agitate

2. Initiate — to cause, to precipitate, to bring (something) about in response or as a result

cause, initiate, precipitate

Other

push someone's buttons informal

Noun

1. Initiation

initiation, induction

Other

set-off, gun, stimulus, proc, triggerer, kindle-fire dated

Antonyms

prevent, stop, halt

All antonyms of trigger →

Definitions

v. 1
To fire (a weapon); to set off or trip (a mechanism or function of a device).
v. 2
To cause, to precipitate, to bring (something) about in response or as a result.
The controversial article triggered a deluge of angry letters from readers.
n. 1
A finger-operated lever used to fire a gun.

Related words

Word family: trigger-happy triggerer
Phrases: trigger point chemoreceptor trigger zone trigger flower trigger plant trigger warning

Forms

Plural: triggers → initiations, inductions, set-offs, guns…
Past participle: triggered
e.g. triggered → activated, actuated, sparked, fired…

Example sentences

activate If you want to activate my mean side, just go on.
induce Moderate exercise in the evening helps induce sleep.

Popularity over time

Word	1850 → 2019	Trend
trigger		rising
activate		rising
induce		steady
actuate		falling

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters: gun¹
4 letters: fire², trip¹, proc
5 letters: cause¹, spark¹
6 letters: induce²
7 letters: agitate³, actuate³
8 letters: activate³, stimulus³, initiate⁴, detonate³
9 letters: induction³, triggerer
10 letters: initiation⁵
11 letters: precipitate⁴

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (fire² = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français: déclencher
Deutsch: auslösen