What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
surmenage
Example
The CEO suffered from surmenage after working long hours for weeks. [surmenage: noun]
Example
She was surmenaged from the constant demands of her job. [surmenaged: past participle]
fatigue
Example
After running a marathon, he felt a deep sense of fatigue. [fatigue: noun]
Example
She was fatigued from staying up all night studying for her exams. [fatigued: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fatigue is a more common term in English than surmenage, which is mainly used in French. Fatigue is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while surmenage is less common and has a more specific meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between surmenage and fatigue?
Both surmenage and fatigue are formal terms that are commonly used in medical and academic contexts. However, surmenage may sound more formal and specialized than fatigue, as it is a French term that is not widely used in English.