stressor

American  

[stres-er, -awr] / ˈstrɛs ər, -ɔr /

noun

1. an activity, event, or other stimulus that causes stress.

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stressor British  

/ ˈstrɛsə /

noun

1. an event, experience, etc, that causes stress

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Etymology

Origin of stressor

First recorded in 1950–55; stress + -or ²

Example Sentences

Rather than acting only through absorption into the bloodstream, flavanols appear to function as a moderate stressor that stimulates the central nervous system, leading to heightened attention, alertness, and memory.

From Science Daily • Feb. 7, 2026

Because the chickenpox varicella-zoster virus remains dormant in the nervous system, it is plausible that it is a chronic stressor causing chronic inflammation, says Geldsetzer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 6, 2025

Nearly half of adults cited the cost of housing as a major stressor, according to a summer survey from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 4, 2025

“I almost can’t think of a worse psychological stressor than being bullied by a community that you value.”

From Slate • Nov. 1, 2025

But for people such as Rodriguez — a sole breadwinner living in a rent-controlled apartment — it’s just another stressor compounding an already grim financial reality.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2025