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
Snapped out of modern-day fight-or-flight mode, I was primed for smoother sleep despite the jet lag.
—
Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Mar. 2024
For some budding musicians (and even old pros), the very sight of sheet music can elicit a fight-or-flight response, bringing up painful memories of strict piano teachers and high-pressure recitals.
—Tristan Geary, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024
Taken together, these fight-or-flight tactics constitute a fundamental shift in the global strategy of European firms.
—Peter Vanham, Fortune Europe, 20 Feb. 2024
His body was still in fight-or-flight mode, overwhelmed by the incomprehensible explosion.
—The Arizona Republic, 14 Jan. 2024
The attention-maximizing business model that drives current social media naturally gravitates toward alarming content that activates primal fight-or-flight responses.
—Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2024
Those alarms trigger the grownup’s fight-or-flight response and raise the odds that adult and child will enter a co-escalation cycle of doom.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2024
Studies suggest poor mental well-being can weaken the immune system and cause an imbalance between the fight-or-flight and rest systems, which has been associated with heart disease and diabetes.
—Dr. Kanithra Sekaran, ABC News, 30 Dec. 2023
Excessive noise — even generally — is disruptive to the health and well-being of children, research shows, and medical experts say the sound of gunfire, which could elicit a fight-or-flight response, may be even worse.
—Emily Baumgaertner, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2023
Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Mar. 2024
For some budding musicians (and even old pros), the very sight of sheet music can elicit a fight-or-flight response, bringing up painful memories of strict piano teachers and high-pressure recitals.
—Tristan Geary, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024
Taken together, these fight-or-flight tactics constitute a fundamental shift in the global strategy of European firms.
—Peter Vanham, Fortune Europe, 20 Feb. 2024
His body was still in fight-or-flight mode, overwhelmed by the incomprehensible explosion.
—The Arizona Republic, 14 Jan. 2024
The attention-maximizing business model that drives current social media naturally gravitates toward alarming content that activates primal fight-or-flight responses.
—Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2024
Those alarms trigger the grownup’s fight-or-flight response and raise the odds that adult and child will enter a co-escalation cycle of doom.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2024
Studies suggest poor mental well-being can weaken the immune system and cause an imbalance between the fight-or-flight and rest systems, which has been associated with heart disease and diabetes.
—Dr. Kanithra Sekaran, ABC News, 30 Dec. 2023
Excessive noise — even generally — is disruptive to the health and well-being of children, research shows, and medical experts say the sound of gunfire, which could elicit a fight-or-flight response, may be even worse.
—Emily Baumgaertner, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fight-or-flight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1973, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near 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 Apr. 2024.
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Medical Definition
fight-or-flight
adjectiveˌfī-tər-ˈflīt
: 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
the fight-or-flight response
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