: 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
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Tyrosine is also a precursor to the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine, all of which partly contribute to the body’s fight-or-flight response. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025 But life, such as it’s been granted them, has trained them both to swim forever in the seas of fight-or-flight. Andy Andersen, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025 In a fight-or-flight response, baleens that typically use the fight method include humpbacks, right, gray, and bowheads. Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025 This triggers our fight-or-flight response, causing defensiveness, dismissiveness, or emotional shutdown. Sarah Noll Wilson, Forbes, 18 Mar. 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 8 Apr. 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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