Adjacent Words

trigger-happy definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: irresponsible in the use of firearms
2: marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid; "fierce loyalty"; "in a tearing rage"; "vehement dislike"; "violent passions" [syn: fierce, tearing, vehement, violent, trigger-happy]

Merriam Webster's

adjective Date: 1943 1. irresponsible in the use of firearms; especially inclined to shoot before clearly identifying the target 2. a. inclined to be irresponsible in matters that might precipitate war b. aggressively belligerent in attitude

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

also trigger happy If you describe someone as trigger-happy, you disapprove of them because they are too ready and willing to use violence and weapons, especially guns. (INFORMAL) Some of them are a bit trigger-happy–they'll shoot at anything that moves. ADJ [disapproval]