fight-or-flight
adjective
: 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
Another study found that very involved dads experienced more activation in the amygdala, the area of the brain responsible for decision-making, instinct, and the fight-or-flight response.
—
Jamie Friedlander Serrano, TIME, 15 May 2024
The technique involves tensing and releasing different body parts, which helps quell stress by forcing your body out of fight-or-flight mode.
—Alice Oglethorpe, SELF, 10 May 2024
This vital hormone affects most athletes and anyone encountering a life or death, fight-or-flight situation, but it's also been felt by people during more common and relatable experiences.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 7 May 2024
Snapped out of modern-day fight-or-flight mode, I was primed for smoother sleep despite the jet lag.
—Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Mar. 2024
For some budding musicians (and even old pros), the very sight of sheet music can elicit a fight-or-flight response, bringing up painful memories of strict piano teachers and high-pressure recitals.
—Tristan Geary, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024
Taken together, these fight-or-flight tactics constitute a fundamental shift in the global strategy of European firms.
—Peter Vanham, Fortune Europe, 20 Feb. 2024
His body was still in fight-or-flight mode, overwhelmed by the incomprehensible explosion.
—The Arizona Republic, 14 Jan. 2024
The attention-maximizing business model that drives current social media naturally gravitates toward alarming content that activates primal fight-or-flight responses.
—Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2024
Jamie Friedlander Serrano, TIME, 15 May 2024
The technique involves tensing and releasing different body parts, which helps quell stress by forcing your body out of fight-or-flight mode.
—Alice Oglethorpe, SELF, 10 May 2024
This vital hormone affects most athletes and anyone encountering a life or death, fight-or-flight situation, but it's also been felt by people during more common and relatable experiences.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 7 May 2024
Snapped out of modern-day fight-or-flight mode, I was primed for smoother sleep despite the jet lag.
—Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Mar. 2024
For some budding musicians (and even old pros), the very sight of sheet music can elicit a fight-or-flight response, bringing up painful memories of strict piano teachers and high-pressure recitals.
—Tristan Geary, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024
Taken together, these fight-or-flight tactics constitute a fundamental shift in the global strategy of European firms.
—Peter Vanham, Fortune Europe, 20 Feb. 2024
His body was still in fight-or-flight mode, overwhelmed by the incomprehensible explosion.
—The Arizona Republic, 14 Jan. 2024
The attention-maximizing business model that drives current social media naturally gravitates toward alarming content that activates primal fight-or-flight responses.
—Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fight-or-flight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near fight-or-flight
Cite this Entry
“Fight-or-flight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fight-or-flight. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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