Stockholm syndrome
an emotional attachment to a captor formed by a hostage as a result of continuous stress, dependence, and a need to cooperate for survival.
Origin of Stockholm syndrome
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use Stockholm syndrome in a sentence
She develops some Stockholm syndrome–like attraction to him.
From ‘After Earth’ to ‘World War Z’: The Year in Apocalypse Movies | Kevin Fallon | June 24, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTGreig was either in love with Whitey, or living in fear, or under the throes of some manner of Stockholm syndrome.
Whitey Bulger’s Women: Inside the Terror and Glamour of His Ex-Girlfriends | T.J. English | June 11, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTBut some former teachers describe the defense of Friend as a version of Stockholm syndrome.
John Friend Anusara Scandal: Inside the Wiccan ‘Sex’ Coven | Lizzie Crocker | April 16, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTTo some observers it sounded like a classic case of Stockholm syndrome.
Somalia’s Hostage: Judith Tebbutt Is Home—But How Free? | Margot Kiser | March 30, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTPerhaps a bit of Stockholm syndrome after eight months of filming behind the scenes at Vogue.
British Dictionary definitions for Stockholm syndrome
a psychological condition in which hostages or kidnap victims become sympathetic towards their captors
Origin of Stockholm syndrome
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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