post-traumatic stress disorder

noun

: a psychological reaction occurring after experiencing a highly stressing event (such as wartime combat, physical violence, or a natural disaster) that is usually characterized by depression, anxiety, flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the event
—abbreviation PTSD

called also post-traumatic stress syndrome

Examples of post-traumatic stress disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Nixon said he is being pushed out of the Air Force because of post-traumatic stress disorder brought on by the death of his wife. — Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2023 That includes people on the autism spectrum, veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and elders with dementia. — Vincent T. Davis, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Mar. 2023 Kallman said policy decisions should instead be based on the drug’s ability to treat depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Mar. 2023 Clinical trials of these substances in the past 15 years have produced remarkable results in the treatment of depression, addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, and end-of-life anxiety. — Bykeridwen Cornelius, science.org, 23 Feb. 2023 See All Example Sentences for post-traumatic stress disorder

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of post-traumatic stress disorder was in 1980

Rhymes for post-traumatic stress disorder

See All Rhymes for post-traumatic stress disorder

Browse Nearby Words

post-traumatic
post-traumatic stress disorder
posttreatment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Post-traumatic stress disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/post-traumatic%20stress%20disorder. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

post–traumatic stress disorder

noun
post–trau·​mat·​ic stress disorder ˌpōs(t)-trə-ˈmat-ik- How to pronounce post–traumatic stress disorder (audio)
-trȯ-, 
-trau̇-
: a psychological reaction occurring after a highly stressful experience (as military combat) that is usually characterized by depression, anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares

Medical Definition

post-traumatic stress disorder

noun
: a psychological reaction that occurs after experiencing a highly stressing event (as wartime combat, physical violence, or a natural disaster) outside the range of normal human experience and that is usually characterized by depression, anxiety, flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the event
—abbreviation PTSD

called also delayed-stress disorder, delayed-stress syndrome, post-traumatic stress syndrome

compare combat fatigue

More from Merriam-Webster on post-traumatic stress disorder

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about post-traumatic stress disorder

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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