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

See Examples For:

stressor

Other studies have also identified ocean acidification, caused by carbon dioxide making seawater more acidic, as another stressor because it makes shell formation more difficult.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026

Rising demands for defense spending are another stressor.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 30, 2026

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 like 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