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

Speaking on the BBC's Sideways podcast in 2021, Enmark rubbished the concept of Stockholm syndrome, saying: "It's a way of blaming the victim. I did what I could to survive."

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

I was feeling a little mutual Stockholm syndrome.

From Salon • Dec. 5, 2023

More than once, she struck me as less an Internet explorer than a digital prisoner, making “Extremely Online” a kind of Stockholm syndrome manifesto.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 2, 2023

Here’s a look at Stockholm syndrome and how it got its name.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 24, 2023