triggered
Caused to start
Triggered originally describes setting something off—a gun, an alarm, an avalanche.
In psychology, triggered means having an intense emotional response due to past trauma: Loud noises trigger her PTSD.
The word has been adopted as internet slang, often mocking, for anyone who reacts strongly to something: He got triggered over a meme.
This dismissive use has diluted the clinical meaning.
Initiated by stimulus
- precipitatedCaused suddenly to occur
- promptedCaused to act
- instigatedCaused to begin
- catalyzedAccelerated a process
set off · brought about · induced · elicited · occasioned · spurred · incited · ignited
Changed between two options
- engagedPledged to marry
- poweredSupplied with energy
- startedPut into action
- enabledMade something possible
operational · functional · initiated · ignited · fired · set off · tripped · armed
Made irate
- enragedExtremely, intensely provoked
- incensedExtremely angry
- irritatedSlightly angered or bothered
- infuriatedExtremely angered
agitated · annoyed · exasperated · antagonized · irked · vexed · goaded · baited
Disturb, topple, or shock
- distressedSuffering emotional turmoil
- traumatizedEmotionally damaged by experience
- reactiveTending to respond
- sensitiveEasily affected emotionally
flashback · PTSD · panic · anxiety · hypervigilant · retraumatized · overwhelmed · dysregulated
sparked
Initiated by stimulus
- precipitatedCaused suddenly to occur
- promptedCaused to act
- instigatedCaused to begin
catalyzed · set off · brought about · induced · elicited · occasioned · spurred · incited · ignited · generated
switched
Changed between two options
enabled · operational · functional · initiated · ignited · fired · set off · tripped · armed · detonated
angered
Made irate
infuriated · agitated · annoyed · exasperated · antagonized · irked · vexed · goaded · baited · riled
upset
Disturb, topple, or shock
- distressedSuffering emotional turmoil
- traumatizedEmotionally damaged by experience
- reactiveTending to respond
sensitive · flashback · PTSD · panic · anxiety · hypervigilant · retraumatized · overwhelmed · dysregulated · activated
fired
Terminated from employment
discharged · ejected · propelled · detonated · blasted · rocketed · missile · torpedo · projectile · warhead
backlash
Strong negative reaction
debate · outrage · offense · canceled · viral · social media · pile-on · mob · ratio · cancelled
- psychobabblegaslighting, toxic, trauma bond, narcissist, love bombing
- caused synonymscaused, made, created, sparked, started
- slang moodsbummed, chill, cranky, edgy, grumpy
- reactivereactive, excitable, volatile, high-strung, jumpy
- stirred upincited, provoked, roused, agitated, riled
- medical descriptorsacute, chronic, mild, moderate, severe
triggereduntriggered
Not yet set off
deactivated · blocked · halted · stopped · inhibited
triggeredunbothered
Not disturbed or concerned
unfazed · calm · unaffected · composed · thick-skinned
triggeredspontaneous
Arising without external cause
unprompted · uncaused · automatic · self-starting · autonomous
- 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
trigger, triggers, triggering, untriggered, retrigger, triggerable