fight-or-flight

adjective

ˈfīt-ər-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

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

Mindfulness puts the brakes on your fight-or-flight or stress response and activates your parasympathetic nervous system (or your rest-and-digest response). —Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025

Snakes are a central part of this group of animal villains, but while boa constrictors or venomous rattlesnakes have earned it, not all snakes warrant a fight-or-flight response. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2025

But in reality, reassurance deactivates a child's fight-or-flight response far more effectively than punishment. —Reem Raouda, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2025

The mouth is so close to the brain, so tightly encircled by sense organs, that drilling can trigger a fight-or-flight response. —Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fight-or-flight

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

Medical Definition

fight-or-flight

adjective

ˌfī-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