Definition, synonyms and related words
simple past tense and past participle of trigger
"The alarm was triggered when the motion sensor detected movement in the hallway."
In plain English: To be triggered means to suddenly get upset or angry because of something that reminds you of an annoying experience from your past.
"The loud noise triggered his anxiety immediately."
Having a trigger that reacts to some specific condition.
"The security system was triggered by the motion sensor when someone walked across the hallway."
In plain English: Triggered means feeling upset, angry, or defensive because something reminded you of a past hurt or annoyance.
"The triggered alarm sounded loudly in the middle of the night."
Usage: Use this adjective primarily in technical contexts involving devices or systems, such as describing software code designed to react automatically when a specific event occurs. Avoid using it metaphorically for emotional reactions unless the intended meaning is clearly tied to an external stimulus causing an immediate response.