hair-trig·ger
ˈher-ˌtri-gər 
1
: immediately responsive to the slightest stimulus
a hair-trigger temper
2
: delicately adjusted or easily disrupted
: a gun trigger so adjusted as to permit the firearm to be fired by a very slight pressure
Examples of hair-trigger in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
But does the Sandman still have the fire in him to play a hockey player turned golfer powered by his hair-trigger temper?
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 20 May 2025
Chris Megerian, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
So any surprise is going to set off that hair trigger that he's been trying to cover up instead of working on being slower to anger.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 6 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hair-trigger
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Adjective
The real uncertainties in the bond market are lodged in the larger complexities and flammable preconditions resulting from highly leveraged speculative positions set to unwind on a hair-trigger.
—George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
But does the Sandman still have the fire in him to play a hockey player turned golfer powered by his hair-trigger temper?
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 20 May 2025
Noun
The frantic trading, which sent stocks spiking before plummeting again, showed how investors are operating on a hair trigger and are eager for any sign of encouraging news.
—Chris Megerian, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
So any surprise is going to set off that hair trigger that he's been trying to cover up instead of working on being slower to anger.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 6 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hair-trigger
Cite this Entry
“Hair-trigger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hair-trigger. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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