: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Life’s inevitable uncertainties instantly arouse your sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight or stress response). Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 Instead, even a small moment of stress can turn into a serious trigger, sending you into fight-or-flight mode. Erica Sloan, SELF, 28 Feb. 2025 The brain perceives inevitable crises and uncertainties as a threat to our survival, instantly arousing fight-or-flight reactions. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025 According to new research published in Marine Mammal Science by the University of Washington (UW), these low-frequency songs are part of a baleen whale’s fight-or-flight response. Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fight-or-flight

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fight-or-flight was in 1973

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Cite this Entry

“Fight-or-flight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fight-or-flight. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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