hair-trigger

1 of 2

adjective

hair-trig·​ger ˈher-ˌtri-gər How to pronounce hair-trigger (audio)
1
: immediately responsive to the slightest stimulus
a hair-trigger temper
2
: delicately adjusted or easily disrupted

hair trigger

2 of 2

noun

: a gun trigger so adjusted as to permit the firearm to be fired by a very slight pressure

Examples of hair-trigger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Other than that explosive, hair-trigger temper evidenced above. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 14 Oct. 2024 Meanwhile, Morrissey ordered more tests to determine whether Baldwin’s gun had a hair-trigger, as the defense team suggested. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2024
Noun
Moderation is a perennial problem on social media, but based on social media posts and The Verge staff’s own experiences, Meta is currently banning and restricting users on a hair trigger. Umar Shakir, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2024 At the center of the government's proposal is a $100-billion bid to fill 450 nuclear silos in five inland states with hundreds of new nuclear missiles set to launch on hair triggers. The Editors, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for hair-trigger 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hair-trigger.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hair-trigger was in 1802

Dictionary Entries Near hair-trigger

hairtail

hair-trigger

hair trigger

Cite this Entry

“Hair-trigger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hair-trigger. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

hair-trigger

adjective
hair-trig·​ger
-ˌtrig-ər
: immediately responsive : quick entry 1 sense 2c
a hair-trigger temper
Etymology

Adjective

from hair trigger, a trigger adjusted so as to permit a firearm to be fired with very slight pressure

More from Merriam-Webster on hair-trigger

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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