stressor

noun

stress·​or ˈstre-sər How to pronounce stressor (audio)
-ˌsȯr
: a stimulus that causes stress

Examples of stressor in a Sentence

Credit card debt is a major stressor in her life.
Recent Examples on the Web Generational and intergenerational stress can also compound the ability to deal with stressors, making our experiences of stress feel unavoidable, challenging, and ultimately harmful to our minds and bodies when prolonged and never-ending. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 16 Apr. 2024 The stressors have brought on fears of layoffs and the elimination of the school's tuition guarantee for future students. Helen Rummel, The Arizona Republic, 2 Apr. 2024 Mississippi scores low in job security, increasing people’s financial and work stressors. Alexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 25 Mar. 2024 Years of working in high-stress, demanding career roles led Farmer to analyze stressors and chart her own path to a more balanced and fulfilled life. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2024 But some people will age faster and die younger from toxic stressors than others. Lawson R. Wulsin, Discover Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024 Some have attempted to study how pet ownership has changed since the pandemic and whether man and best friend helped each other through shutdown solitude and stressors from illness to job loss and anxiety. Sarah Owermohle, STAT, 5 Apr. 2024 And what can people do with stressors such as a hard job or caregiving responsibilities that can’t just go away? Katia Hetter, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024 The central bank is also using a marked drop in commercial real estate prices as part of its regular test of the banking system’s resilience to major shocks and stressors. Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stressor.' 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

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stressor was in 1950

Dictionary Entries Near stressor

Cite this Entry

“Stressor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stressor. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

stressor

noun
stress·​or ˈstres-ər How to pronounce stressor (audio) -ˌȯ(ə)r How to pronounce stressor (audio)
: a stimulus that causes stress
psychological stressors
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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