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Instigate vs Trigger - What's the difference?

instigate | trigger |

As verbs the difference between instigate and trigger

is that instigate is to goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite while trigger is to fire a weapon.

As a noun trigger is

a finger-operated lever used to fire a gun.

instigate

English

(Webster 1913)

Verb

(instigat)
  • To goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite.
  • He hath only instigated his blackest agents to the very extent of their malignity. -Bp. Warburton.

    Usage notes

    Commonly used with reference to evil actions; as, to instigate one to a crime.

    Synonyms

    * (to goad or urge forward): animate, encourage, impel, incite, provoke, spur, stimulate, tempt, urge

    Antonyms

    * (to goad or urge forward): halt, prevent, stop

    Derived terms

    * instigation * instigator

    trigger

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A finger-operated lever used to fire a gun.
  • Just pull the trigger .
  • A similar device used to activate any mechanism.
  • An event that initiates others, or incites a response.
  • (psychology) An event, experience or other stimulus that initiates a traumatic memory or action in a person.
  • (electronics) A pulse in an electronic circuit that initiates some component.
  • (computing) An SQL procedure that may be initiated when a record is inserted, updated or deleted; typically used to maintain referential integrity.
  • (online gaming) A text string that, when received by a player, will cause the player to execute a certain command.
  • (archaic) A catch to hold the wheel of a carriage on a declivity.
  • Derived terms

    * trigger-happy * trigger point * trigger warning

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • to fire a weapon
  • to initiate something
  • to spark a response, especially a negative emotional response, in (someone)
  • This story contains a rape scene and may be triggering for rape victims.

    See also

    * (Trigger) * (Database trigger)