combat fatigue

noun

Updated on: 3 Apr 2018

Definition of combat fatigue

: post-traumatic stress disorder occurring under wartime conditions (such as combat) that cause intense stress : battle fatigue : shell shock

Nearly a half-million American soldiers were battle casualties during the fighting in Europe; by 1945 another 111,000 neuropsychiatric cases—then usually called combat fatigue—had been treated.
—Roger J. Spiller

The psychological strain he continues to endure has had many names over the years. In World War I, it was shell shock. In World War II, it was combat fatigue …
—Steven Lee Meyers

See combat fatigue defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of combat fatigue from the Web

In fact, Healthyish contributors Dr. Tiffany Lester and chef Seamus Mullen both reach for mushrooms to combat fatigue.

— aliza abarbanel, Bon Appetit, "What Are Adaptogens, and Why Is Everyone Talking About Them?," 6 Mar. 2018
In a bid to combat fatigue, Conte even gave his players three days off to rest after the embarrassing 4-1 loss at the hands of Watford on Monday.

— SI.com, "Antonio Conte Insists He Is Committed to Chelsea as Sack Rumours Continue to Circulate," 9 Feb. 2018
Voters are already showing political combat fatigue, as his 40% approval rating suggests.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "Jeff Flake’s Public Service," 25 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'combat fatigue.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of combat fatigue

1943

Medical Dictionary

combat fatigue

noun com·bat fatigue \ ˈkäm-ˌbat- \

medical Definition of combat fatigue

: post-traumatic stress disorder occurring under wartime conditions (as combat) that cause intense stress — called also battle fatigue, shell shock, war neurosis