Trigger-happy

Pronunciation varies by accent · adjective

Meaning

Having a tendency or desire to shoot a firearm irresponsibly before adequately identifying the target..

Definitions by Sense

1. Having a tendency or desire to shoot a firearm irresponsibly before adequately identifying the target.
2. (by extension) Inclined to behave recklessly or violently at the slightest provocation.

Example Sentences

The bystanders were indiscriminately gunned down by trigger-happy gang members.

Crime is increasing / Trigger happy policing / Panic is spreading / God knows where we're heading

Claudine / Don't get trigger happy with me / Don't wave a gun at me

Be careful when you work near him; he's trigger-happy with that chain-saw.

He was so trigger-happy that he wheeled and punched me when I brushed by him in the hall.

In a country like Burma, where the trigger-happy ruling elite resorted to arms even against unarmed students on university campuses, we have drawn lessons from history. It has taught us to resort to arms when fighting against fully armed demons.

Synonyms for trigger-happy

Antonyms for trigger-happy

Related Words

Word Forms

• more trigger-happy
• most trigger-happy
• trigger happy
• triggerhappy

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions