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

Experts have since debated whether Stockholm syndrome is an actual psychiatric condition, with some arguing it is a defence mechanism to cope with traumatic situations.

From BBC • 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

And what made TV’s answer to Stockholm syndrome so compulsively watchable?

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2023