What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stimuli
Example
The bright light was a stimuli that caused the plant to grow towards it. [stimuli: singular noun]
Example
The experiment involved exposing the participants to various stimuli to measure their responses. [stimuli: plural noun]
trigger
Example
The sound of fireworks can be a trigger for some people with PTSD. [trigger: noun]
Example
The argument triggered a series of negative emotions in her. [triggered: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Trigger is more commonly used than stimuli in everyday language, especially in the context of emotional or psychological reactions. Stimuli is more commonly used in scientific or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stimuli and trigger?
Stimuli is more formal than trigger, which is more commonly used in informal contexts.
