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

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

The concept is rooted in the autonomic nervous system, which includes the sympathetic nervous system—responsible for the body's fight-or-flight response—and the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps promote rest, recovery and restoration. — Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

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

The defense will argue Gormley went for the Taser, exposing its pistol grip and triggering a fight-or-flight response in Harrison, who believed his life was in danger, Winter told jurors. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 June 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