The man put the gun against his forehead and squeezed the trigger.
Source: tatoeba (45348)
Trigger
/ˈtɹɪɡə/
Synonyms for "trigger" (302 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (61)
Noun(35 words)
Verb(21 words)
activateactivate systemactivate timeractivatedactivatesactuateactuatedactuatesarouse angerbeepedcascadedcascadingcatalysecatalyzecatalyzedcatalyzescause a problemcause motioncause vibrationcaused
Show 1 more word
causes motion
Adjective(5 words)
Strong matches (90)
Noun(45 words)
clickscomposition writing promptcoughcrazecuecuescuingculpritsdetonatordetonatorsdismaydonneelicitingemotionalizingevokeevokingfamily feudfatherfirefightsfirestarter
Verb(30 words)
conjuresconvulseconvulsedcueddetermineddetonatedetonateselicitedenergizeengagesevokedevokesexcitedexplodedfibrillategavegetsgo ahead cueigniteignites
Show 10 more words
Adjective(10 words)
Related words (151)
Noun(78 words)
instigatorinterruptsintervention indicatorinvokingjoggingleadleadslearning cuelever actuationmakemarketing functionmore forcedmotion causemovemudslidesmushroomoccasionoccasioningoccasionsorigin firing
Show 58 more words
physical actpiquingplant stress responsepower lightprecipitantprecipitantsprecipitatesproduceproduce effectproduce evidencepromptpromptsprovocationprovocationsprovokeprovokerprovokingpushing leverradio signalingreminderset in motionsignalsignal a warningsignal cuesignal dangersignals desiresingle pushsound triggerspanish causasparkspark imaginationsparksspurspurringstampedesstartstart processstarterstartingstarting pistolstimulantstimulatestimulistimulusstrobeswedish produceraswitchswitch actuationswitch ontask executionthreshold forcethrowstipping-point factorto producetripstwingetwingeswatering cue
Verb(52 words)
invokeinvokedkindlesledmakesmobilizedmobilizesnucleateoccasionedperpetratedprecipitatedprecipitatingpress a leverpress the buttonproducesprovoke angerprovokedprovokespush a buttonreawakens
Adjective(7 words)
major paradigm shiftingmechanical signalprecipitous changeseasonal plant processstimulatingswedish madeupstarting
Determiner(2 words)
most signalno cause
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: actioning, activate, activate, activate system, activate timer.
- Sentence evidence is available for trigger, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, opengloss, wordnet.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "trigger".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "trigger"
Keep "trigger" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "trigger" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "trigger", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "trigger" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
20 entriesShowing 16 of 20 words.
More specific
11 entriesCollocations
10 entriesInflections
3 entriesDerivations
6 entriesSample sentences
22 total sentences available.
Police can't be trigger happy.
Source: tatoeba (238263)
Certain smells can easily trigger childhood memories.
Source: tatoeba (718490)
Tom didn't have the courage to pull the trigger.
Source: tatoeba (1026388)
Showing 4 of 22 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "trigger"?
Closest matches include actioning, activate, activate, activate system, activate timer.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "trigger"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.