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.

Rather than acting only through absorption into the bloodstream, flavanols appear to function as a moderate stressor that stimulates the central nervous system, leading to heightened attention, alertness, and memory.

From Science Daily • Feb. 7, 2026

Because the chickenpox varicella-zoster virus remains dormant in the nervous system, it is plausible that it is a chronic stressor causing chronic inflammation, says Geldsetzer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 6, 2025

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 such as 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