Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

shell-shocked

adjective

/ˈʃɛlˌʃɑkt/

Definition

A state of mental disturbance caused by the trauma of war or extreme stress.

Examples

The soldier returned home shell-shocked after years on the battlefield.
Many veterans suffer from shell-shocked symptoms long after their service.
Her shell-shocked expression after hearing the news spoke volumes about her emotional state.

Meaning

Shell-shocked refers to the psychological condition experienced by soldiers after experiencing the horrors of combat, characterized by anxiety, nightmares, and a general sense of being overwhelmed.