Definitions

hair-trigger

ADJECTIVE

delicate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

critical precarious sensitive ticklish touchy tricky unpredictable volatile

WEAK

uncertain

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm easy firm stable

WEAK

coarse harsh healthful healthy heavy imprecise indelicate indiscriminating inelegant insensitive robust rough strong uncareful uncritical unscrupulous

ADJECTIVE

immediate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

actual prompt urgent

WEAK

at once at present time at this moment critical current existing extant first instant live next now on hand paramount present pressing up-to-date

Antonyms

WEAK

away distant eventually far later never

ADJECTIVE

instantaneous

Synonyms

STRONGEST

rapid spontaneous transitory

WEAK

direct fast in a flash instant momentary quick

Antonyms

WEAK

delayed eventual late later

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Their lead single “Fabienk” is studded with hair-trigger riffs — if you can even call them that — that mix the playful nursery rhyme melodies of Battles with the no-wave drone of Sonic Youth.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026

This melancholy acknowledgment of hair-trigger anger isn’t limited to healthcare.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

After that, it was hard to shake the “problem actor” label, especially given the hair-trigger eccentrics he was manifesting so convincingly on film.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 17, 2024

Yet, to some, there is a feeling that the situation is just one hair-trigger moment away from tragedy, says Mark Naison, who took part in the sometimes violent protests at Columbia in 1968.

From Seattle Times • May 2, 2024

Second, they also contained a concealed device that set a hair-trigger.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

hair-trigger

Example Sentences

Related Words