Stockholm syndrome

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noun Psychiatry.

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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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

Words nearby Stockholm syndrome

stockholder, stockholder of record, stockholders, stockholders' equity, Stockholm, Stockholm syndrome, stockhorn, stock horse, stockinet, stockinette, stocking

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use Stockholm syndrome in a sentence

Advanced maternal age dramatically increases the risk of maternal mortality as well as birth defects like Down Syndrome.
Men Will Someday Have Kids Without Women|Samantha Allen|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Founded by German monks in present-day Old Town Stockholm, Zum Franziskaner has become a legend amongst locals and tourists.
Inside The World’s 10 Oldest Restaurants|Justin Jones|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jolly somehow finds the time to also manage a restaurant and help kids who have Autism and Down syndrome ride horses.
The Moms of Monster Jam Drive Trucks, Buck Macho Culture|Eliza Krigman|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We still have a long way to go, but it has improved dramatically since the post Vietnam syndrome when Vets were spit on.
McCain’s 13 Favorite Soldiers|Sandra McElwaine|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In 1975, Sesame Street became the first children's program to feature someone with Down Syndrome.
‘Sesame Street’ Is Middle-Aged and Awesome|Emily Shire|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They live in Stockholm, where she paints portraits and genre subjects.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement
At sunrise the next morning he goes on board the steamer Svithiod, bound from Lubeck to Stockholm.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol 58, No. 357, July 1845|Various
In 1856 she removed to Stockholm, and was earnestly entreated to go to Dalecadin, and instruct the people.
The College, the Market, and the Court|Caroline H. Dall
In this connection they mention a singular experiment tried by a geologist of Stockholm.
The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 1, April, 1851|Various
In the mean time he grew so uneasy at Stockholm, that he resolved to be gone without a passport.
The Life of the Truly Eminent and Learned Hugo Grotius|Jean Lvesque de Burigny

British Dictionary definitions for Stockholm syndrome

Stockholm syndrome

noun

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

Word Origin for Stockholm syndrome

C20: after a group of hostages in Stockholm in 1973

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for Stockholm syndrome

Stockholm syndrome

[ stŏk′hōlm′, -hōm′ ]

A phenomenon in which a hostage begins to identify with and grow sympathetic to his or her captor.