Spanish Conversation · Level 56
72 words
Spanish word
desencadenar
Pronunciation
IPA/deseŋkaðeˈnaɾ/
Meaning
- verbtrigger
Example
La lluvia fuerte desencadenó inundaciones en la ciudad.
The heavy rain triggered floods in the city.
More examples
La noticia falsa desencadenó violencia en varios barrios.
The false news triggered violence in several neighborhoods.
Core concept
A first domino knocking over many others.
Common phrases
desencadenar una crisis
trigger a crisis
desencadenar violencia
trigger violence
desencadenar una polémica
trigger a controversy
Similar words
causar: Acts as the immediate cause that directly creates a result.
provocar: Elicits a change or reaction by agitating or prompting.
desatar: Releases emotions that were held back, often all at once.
ocasionar: Leads to a result that follows from a specific situation or event.
Definition in Spanish
Significa hacer que algo comience o se active, especialmente procesos que tienden a propagarse.
Word origin
Built from des- "undo" and encadenar "to chain", literally "unchain" and used figuratively for causing a chain reaction.
Usage tips
- Not used for mechanical triggers or firearms; for a gun or a switch Spanish normally uses disparar or accionar instead of desencadenar.