Stockholm syndrome

American  

noun

Psychiatry.

1. an emotional attachment to a captor formed by a hostage as a result of continuous stress, dependence, and a need to cooperate for survival.

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Stockholm syndrome British  

noun

1. a psychological condition in which hostages or kidnap victims become sympathetic towards their captors

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Etymology

Origin of Stockholm syndrome

After an incident in Stockholm in 1973, during which a bank employee became romantically attached to a robber who held her hostage

Example Sentences

One of the two charismatic criminals involved in the kidnapping that gave the world the term "Stockholm syndrome" has died aged 78, his family has said.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2025

Okatsuka might joke about suffering from Stockholm syndrome, but she really is best friends with her grandma, who was her primary caregiver in childhood and now has her own social media fan base.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2025

I’d succumbed to Stockholm syndrome, a captive identifying with the many whistleblowers I’ve come to know in a career writing about air disasters.

From Slate • May 3, 2024

Hearst’s allegiance to the Symbionese Liberation Army raised questions about Stockholm syndrome, a common term deployed to describe the bond that victims of kidnappings or hostage situations sometimes develop with their captors.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 3, 2024

I was feeling a little mutual Stockholm syndrome.

From Salon • Dec. 5, 2023