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

Chronic stress triggers the body's fight-or-flight response, leading to a steady release of stress hormones like cortisol. —Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 17 Apr. 2026

Remembering a traumatic event can cause some of the original fight-or-flight reactions to return. —Dr. Andrew Garner, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026

Breathwork, meditation practices and strategies that reduce fight-or-flight activation have been shown to support neuroplasticity, improve cognitive flexibility and enhance memory and concentration. —Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2026

Kindness can lower cortisol, one of the hormones responsible for our fight-or-flight response. —Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026

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