activate vs trigger

activate is not a noun while trigger is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
activate	No	No	Yes	No
trigger	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, activate and trigger are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of activate include actuate, set off, spark, spark off, touch off, trigger off, trip.

activate (noun)	trigger (noun)
	an act that sets in motion some course of events
	lever that activates the firing mechanism of a gun
	a device that activates or releases or causes something to happen

activate (verb)	trigger (verb)
make active or more active	release or pull the trigger on
make (substances) radioactive	put in motion or move to act
aerate (sewage) so as to favor the growth of organisms that decompose organic matter
make more adsorptive
put in motion or move to act