trigger
Start a reaction
A trigger is a lever that fires a gun when pulled, extended to any mechanism that sets something in motion: The power outage triggered the alarm.
In psychology, a trigger is a stimulus that provokes a strong emotional response, especially in trauma survivors: Loud noises are a trigger for her PTSD.
This sense has expanded to describe anything that upsets someone, sometimes used dismissively: Everyone has triggers these days.
To be trigger-happy is to shoot—or react—too readily.
Pivoting bar for lifting
- springRecoiling metal spiral
- searBurn the outside
- hammerTool for striking nails
- firing pinPrimer-striking gun component
catch · release · actuator · reset · linkage · latch · switch · button
Fired metal projectile
- cartridgeSealed container for supplies
- aimPurpose or direction
- shootDischarge or capture
- recoilBackward force from discharge
barrel · magazine · safety · holster · gunpowder · rifle · pistol · shotgun
Trigger for action
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- promptIncite to action
- provocationAct that triggers response
- catalystAgent enabling change
spark · impetus · spur · incitement · inducement · prod · nudge · stressor
Response to stimulus
- reflexInvoluntary stimulus response
- cascadeSuccessive downward flow
- chain reactionSelf-sustaining causal sequence
- onsetStarting point of something
episode · flare-up · outburst · panic attack · flashback · emotional · physiological · automatic
Advisory about sensitive material
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- labelIdentifying attachment or marker
- disclaimerStatement denying responsibility
- notificationFormal notice given
advisory · trauma · PTSD · sensitive · distressing · graphic · explicit · spoiler
lever
Pivoting bar for lifting
firing pin · catch · release · actuator · reset · linkage · latch · switch · button · toggle
bullet
Fired metal projectile
recoil · barrel · magazine · safety · holster · gunpowder · rifle · pistol · shotgun · ammunition
cue
Trigger for action
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- promptIncite to action
- provocationAct that triggers response
catalyst · spark · impetus · spur · incitement · inducement · prod · nudge · stressor · reminder
reaction
Response to stimulus
- reflexInvoluntary stimulus response
- cascadeSuccessive downward flow
- chain reactionSelf-sustaining causal sequence
onset · episode · flare-up · outburst · panic attack · flashback · emotional · physiological · automatic · involuntary
content warning
Advisory about sensitive material
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- labelIdentifying attachment or marker
- disclaimerStatement denying responsibility
notification · advisory · trauma · PTSD · sensitive · distressing · graphic · explicit · spoiler · caution
asthma
Chronic lung inflammation
- migraineSevere neurological head pain
- allergyAdverse immune response
- seizureForcible taking or convulsion
flare · episode · symptom · attack · allergen · irritant · histamine · inflammatory · autoimmune · anaphylaxis
- action verbsrun, jump, chase, grab, climb
- strategystrategy, grand strategy, tactics, tactic, tactical
- automationautomation, macros, macro, automate, hotkeys
- controlsbutton, switch, dial, knob, lever
- manual controlsmanual, hand-operated, lever, handle, button
- shootersshooter, sniper, rifle, pistol, shotgun
- pull the triggerInitiate the irreversible action
- trigger happyOverly eager to shoot
- trigger guardProtective loop around lever
- trigger pointsHypersensitive muscle tissue areas
- trigger warningsAlerts preceding distressing material
- hair triggerUltra-responsive firing mechanism
triggers, triggered, triggering, trigger-happy, hair-trigger, trigger point, triggerman, trigger warning, untriggered