stressor

[stres-er, -awr] / ˈstrɛs ər, -ɔr /

NOUN

something which causes stress

Synonyms

STRONG

aggravation annoyance

WEAK

bellyache headache inconvenience irritant nuisance pain pressure trouble worry

Antonyms

STRONGEST

relaxer

WEAK

convenience pleasure

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Rising demands for defense spending are another stressor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Still, financial concerns are often a main stressor for near- and current retirees.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 6, 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

For eight consecutive days, participants reported any daily stressors they experienced within the previous 24 hours and whether each stressor was resolved by the end of the day.

From Science Daily • Oct. 20, 2025

“Money was very much a stressor during my pregnancy and postpartum period,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2025