fight-or-flight
adjective
: relating to, being, or causing physiological changes in the body (such as an increase in heart rate or dilation of bronchi) in response to stress
epinephrine is a fight-or-flight hormone
a fight-or-flight reaction
Examples of fight-or-flight in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Over time, our nervous systems stay locked in fight-or-flight.
—
Marc Brackett, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
That’s why, in the pre-race fight-or-flight stage, adrenaline’s effect is important.
—Richard A. Lovett, Outside, 19 Oct. 2025
The sight of white men laughing activates an ancient fight-or-flight response in me.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2025
This is often referred to as the fight-or-flight response.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fight-or-flight
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Marc Brackett, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
That’s why, in the pre-race fight-or-flight stage, adrenaline’s effect is important.
—Richard A. Lovett, Outside, 19 Oct. 2025
The sight of white men laughing activates an ancient fight-or-flight response in me.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2025
This is often referred to as the fight-or-flight response.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fight-or-flight
Cite this Entry
“Fight-or-flight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fight-or-flight. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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