trigger word

noun

A word or phrase that elicits a strong emotional or psychological reaction based on an individual's past experiences, particularly related to trauma or a mental health condition.

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Meanings

nountrigger word (plural trigger words)

plural trigger words

  1. human sciencesA word or phrase that elicits a strong emotional or psychological reaction based on an individual's past experiences, particularly related to trauma or a mental health condition.

    The former term, though feebly justified later in the text, stands as a historical trigger word of high emotional impact.

    1932, Religion in Life, number 39, page 136
Cite this entry
APA

trigger word. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/trigger%20word

MLA

“trigger word.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/trigger%20word. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “trigger word,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/trigger%20word.

Source: trigger word on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.