detonante

trigger, detonator

noun deh-toh-NAHN-teh Rare

Also means

catalyst, spark (figurative)

Usage Note

Detonante is the present participle of detonar used as a noun. Literally it means a detonating device, but in journalism and analysis it is overwhelmingly used figuratively to mean the immediate trigger or catalyst of an event (e.g. el detonante de la crisis 'the trigger of the crisis'). The feminine form detonante is the same — it is an invariable adjective/noun.

Examples

"La corrupción fue el detonante de las protestas."

Natural Translation

Corruption was the trigger of the protests.

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