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.

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

Their entire business model, their whole inner nature, is predicated on hair-trigger litigiousness, predatory aggressiveness and a hunger to win at all costs.

From Salon • May 24, 2025

He’s rather twitchy himself, having a hair-trigger temper that has gotten him fired from just about every job he’s ever had.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 27, 2023

For starters, she would like us to get over the kind of hair-trigger touchiness about language that leads to social media pile-ons, and focus on genuine threats.

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2023

It’s their tension, their hair-trigger excitement and blocked adrenaline that fills the plane, despite the lax bodies of the passengers, their fatigue and resignation.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

hair-trigger

Example Sentences

Related Words