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
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
The sympathetic system is responsible for the fight-or-flight response, while the parasympathetic system activates the body’s rest-and-digest mode.
—Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2025
Peak performance happens in flow states, not fight-or-flight responses.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fight-or-flight
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Emma Specter, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2025
This is often referred to as the fight-or-flight response.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2025
The sympathetic system is responsible for the fight-or-flight response, while the parasympathetic system activates the body’s rest-and-digest mode.
—Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2025
Peak performance happens in flow states, not fight-or-flight responses.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 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 19 Oct. 2025.
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