Synonyms

triggerman

American

[trig-er-muhn, -man] / ˈtrɪg ər mən, -ˌmæn /

noun

Informal.

plural

triggermen

a gangster who specializes in gunning people down.
a bodyguard, especially of a gangster.

triggerman British

/ ˈtrɪɡəˌmæn /

noun

a person, esp a criminal, who shoots another person

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of triggerman

First recorded in 1920–25; trigger + man

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.

Nobody knows the quarterback position more than the recently retired Tom Brady, and he says leadership qualities even outweigh throwing ability for the modern-day triggerman to be successful.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2023

Freeman released a statement last month maintaining that Burrell was the triggerman.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 8, 2020

Perhaps new Dolphins offensive coordinator Chan Gailey will also try Perry as a wildcat triggerman.

From Washington Times • Apr. 29, 2020

But, in Allen’s plea, he never accuses Sheeran of being a triggerman.

From Washington Post • Jan. 14, 2020

The first pick in the 2106 draft is the triggerman for an offense that averaged a league-leading 29.9 points a game last season.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2018

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023