TRIG-ur-ing
/ˈtɹɪɡɚɪŋ/
triggering is pronounced TRIG-ur-ing (/ˈtɹɪɡɚɪŋ/). Triggering refers to causing a strong emotional reaction in someone, often by raising sensitive memories or traumas. In broader use, it can mean initiating a process or event. The term is common in psychology, social discourse, and everyday conversation, and can carry charged connotations depending on context and audience.
Triggering refers to causing a strong emotional reaction in someone, often by raising sensitive memories or traumas. In broader use, it can mean initiating a process or event. The term is common in psychology, social discourse, and everyday conversation, and can carry charged connotations depending on context and audience.
"The documentary included a scene that was triggering for viewers with trauma histories."
"Her comments about the incident triggered a wave of memories from childhood."
"The new policy change triggered a spike in misinformation online."
Pronounce as /ˈtrɪɡərɪŋ/. Start with a stressed /ˈtrɪ/ (as in 'trip'), then /ɡə/ with a relaxed jaw, and end with /ɪŋ/. The sequence is single, crisp /ɡ/ followed by a light schwa-like /ə/ before the final /ŋ/. In careful speech you’ll hear two consonant releases: /ˈtrɪ/ + /ɡər/ + /ɪŋ/. Audio reference: use a standard dictionary like Cambridge or Oxford for listening examples.
Common errors: 1) Deleting the /ɡ/ or making it a /n/ or /d/ sound; ensure you voice the /ɡ/ clearly before the /ə/. 2) Reducing /ɡər/ into a quick /gə/ or misplacing the vowel, so it sounds like /ˈtrɪɡrɪŋ/ instead of /ˈtrɪɡərɪŋ/. 3) Over-emphasizing the second syllable; keep the primary stress on the first. Practical correction: rehearse with 2-3 slow repetitions emphasizing the /ɡ/ release and making sure /ə/ is a soft, neutral vowel.
US: /ˈtrɪɡərɪŋ/ with a slightly rhotic /ɹ/ and schwa in the second syllable. UK: /ˈtrɪɡərɪŋ/ similar but with less rhoticity depending on speaker; vowels may be shorter. AU: /ˈtrɪɡərɪŋ/ tends to be a bit flatter with less vowel reduction in some speakers, and the /ɹ/ may be less pronounced in non-rhotic accents. In all varieties, the /t/ starts crisp, /ɡ/ is a hard stop, and final /ŋ/ is nasal and unreleased.
The challenge lies in the cluster /ɡər/ where the vowel shifts quickly from a back-ish /ɡ/ release to a mid-central /ə/. The sequence blends into a quick /ərɪŋ/ and the final /ŋ/ may nasalize. Tough areas: maintaining clear /ɡ/ release without adding an extra vowel, and keeping the schwa neutral in rapid speech. Also, ensuring the primary stress on the first syllable while the others remain unstressed. IPA awareness helps you separate sounds distinctly.
Note the two consecutive vowel sounds in rapid speech: the /ɪ/ in the first syllable and the /ə/ in the second- syllable; keep the first vowel crisp and jump quickly to the mid-central /ə/ for /ər/. Also, ensure your tongue tip touches the alveolar ridge briefly for /t/ and then release into /ɹ/; in connected speech, many speakers compress /tɹ/ into a subtle /tɹ/ without a strong hiatus.
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US: rhotic /ɹ/ is pronounced fully; ensure /ɹ/ is bunched with slight retroflex or bunched tongue position if you have a strong US accent; UK: non-rhotic or lightly rhotic variants, the /ɹ/ in coda may be silent; AU: tends toward clear rhotics but with less vowel reduction in some speakers. Vowels: /ɪ/ is close to 'bit' but tenser; /ə/ is a weak unstressed vowel; /ɪŋ/ final is a nasal with a closed mouth and open jaw slightly. Use IPA references to target accurate vowels.
Triggering derives from the noun trigger, itself from the Old Norse tract (or Dutch trag) related to pulling or arming a mechanism; in firearms, a trigger initiates firing. The verb form triggering emerged in the late 19th to early 20th century, initially in mechanical or figurative senses of “causing to start.” By mid-XX century, triggering expanded into psychology and colloquial speech to describe provoking sensitive or automatic reactions. In contemporary usage, triggering often refers to emotional or psychological reactivity to content, ideas, or events, particularly around trauma, stress, or controversial topics. The sense of initiating an action (to trigger a process) coexists with the more charged sense of evocation or retraumatization, sometimes leading to nuanced or debated usage in public discourse. First known written uses appeared in technical contexts before permeating everyday speech on social media and opinion writing, where it is frequently employed as a descriptor for experiences that “set off” emotional responses.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "triggering" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "triggering" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "triggering"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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