Shell-shocked — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈshel-ˌshäkt/

Meaning & Definition of Shell-shocked

Shell-shocked (adjective)

  1. affected with shell shock or combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder
  2. mentally confused, upset, or exhausted as a result of a highly stressful or disturbing and often unexpected event or experience

Shell-shocked (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. suffering from high levels of physical and especially psychological stress

    "even after the long furlough, the returning soldiers still felt a little shell-shocked"

    similar: stressed, stressed-out, on the rack
    related: burned-out, exhausted, knackered (British), tired, worn-out, undone, unmanned, unnerved, unstrung, edgy, nervous, tense, uneasy, agitated, disturbed, perturbed, troubled, upset, aggravated, angry, annoyed, exasperated, irritated
    near: laid-back, relaxed, rested, carefree, devil-may-care, happy-go-lucky, lighthearted, unconcerned

  2. suffering from mental confusion

    "shell-shocked survivors who were in dire need of every kind of help"

    similar: addle, addled, addlepated, bedeviled, befogged, befuddled, bemused, bewildered, bushed (chiefly Australian), confounded, confused, dazed, distracted, dizzy, dopey, fogged, mixed-up, muddleheaded, muzzy, pixilated, punch-drunk, punchy, raddled, silly, slaphappy, spaced-out, spacey, stunned, stupefied, zonked, zonked-out, at sea, out of it
    related: senseless, unconscious
    opposite: clearheaded
    near: alert, conscious

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Shell-shocked

The most common words with a similar meaning to Shell-shocked:

Chiefly Australian: bushed
stressed, stressed-out, addle, addled, addlepated, bedeviled, befogged, befuddled, bemused, bewildered, confounded, confused, dazed, distracted, dizzy, dopey, fogged, mixed-up, muddleheaded, muzzy, pixilated, punch-drunk, punchy, raddled, silly, slaphappy, spaced-out, spacey, stunned, stupefied, zonked, zonked-out, on the rack, at sea, out of it

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Shell-shocked

Words with the opposite meaning of Shell-shocked:

clearheaded

Related Words for Shell-shocked

burned-out, exhausted, knackered, tired, worn-out, undone, unmanned, unnerved, unstrung, edgy, nervous, tense, uneasy, agitated, disturbed, perturbed, troubled, upset, aggravated, angry, annoyed, exasperated, irritated, senseless, unconscious

Near Antonyms of Shell-shocked

laid-back, relaxed, rested, carefree, devil-may-care, happy-go-lucky, lighthearted, unconcerned, alert, conscious

Origin & Etymology of Shell-shocked

First known use: 1915

Frequently Asked Questions about Shell-shocked

What does "Shell-shocked" mean?

"Shell-shocked" means affected with shell shock or combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder. As an adjective, it is defined as: affected with shell shock or combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Shell-shocked"?

Other words for "Shell-shocked" include stressed, stressed-out, addle, addled, addlepated, bedeviled, befogged and befuddled. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Shell-shocked" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Shell-shocked"?

There are 61 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Shell-shocked". Common alternatives include stressed, stressed-out, addle, addled, addlepated, bedeviled, befogged, befuddled, bemused and bewildered.

What is the opposite of "Shell-shocked"?

Antonyms of "Shell-shocked" include clearheaded. Near antonyms include laid-back, relaxed, rested and carefree.

How do you use "Shell-shocked" in a sentence?

Examples of "Shell-shocked" in a sentence: "even after the long furlough, the returning soldiers still felt a little shell-shocked"; "shell-shocked survivors who were in dire need of every kind of help".

Is "Shell-shocked" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Shell-shocked" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Shell-shocked"?

"Shell-shocked" is pronounced /ˈshel-ˌshäkt/.

What is the origin of the word "Shell-shocked"?

First known use: 1915.