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

Oxytocin shifts your body out of fight-or-flight mode. — Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 17 June 2026

That asymmetry creates enormous opportunities for startups facing fight-or-flight moments. — Matt Rogers, Fortune, 30 May 2026

As the gut is considered a second brain, the process involves listening in with a stethoscope while manual, hands-on therapy helps the body shift more easily between fight-or-flight and not get stuck in one. — Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 June 2026

Mayo Clinic Press notes that anxiety triggers labored breathing, muscle tightening and activation of the sympathetic nervous system, the body’s fight-or-flight wiring. — Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 6 May 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