trigger warning

[ trig-er wawr-ning ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a stated warning that the content of the immediately following text, video, etc., may cause distressing psychological or physiological reactions, especially in people who have previously experienced a related trauma: : TW
The header line of the blog post contains a trigger warning for rape.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of trigger warning¹

First recorded in 1990–95; trigger ( def ) (in the sense “something that stimulates or initiates”)

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Example Sentences

For the “Trigger Warning” actor, the perfect Sunday involves dinner with the fam, an energizing hike and adventures with her 6-year-old son.

From Los Angeles Times

Her latest is Netflix’s “Trigger Warning,” which was released this summer.

From Los Angeles Times

Friday’s defense filing also criticizes the suit for including “a bolded, legally irrelevant ‘trigger warning’ calculated to focus attention on its salacious and depraved allegations.”

From Seattle Times

YouTube on Thursday removed the trigger warning it previously affixed to the trailer for the forthcoming "Joker: Folie à Deux" a day earlier though it's not entirely clear why.

From Salon

Upon reading the initial reports that the trigger warning had accompanied the trailer, I was pleasantly surprised.

From Salon

trigger plant trigger word

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