Stockholm syndrome

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.

Stockholm syndrome

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Stockholm syndrome¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Stockholm syndrome¹

C20: after a group of hostages in Stockholm in 1973