walking wounded

American  

noun

1. casualties, as of a military conflict, who are wounded but ambulatory.

2. Informal. persons who have been damaged or defeated psychologically or emotionally by their experiences in life.

---

Etymology

Origin of walking wounded

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Supposedly the ultimate check on power, many became the walking wounded, moving by instinct with a hand on the shoulder of the person ahead of them, like soldiers in the first world war.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

"I think that he indulged in some monstrous behaviour without ever quite being a monster himself, but more like the walking wounded," he says.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2024

But right now, they note, so many of the nation's buildings, bridges, tunnels and dams are among the walking wounded that the first priority should be setting up a triage system.

From Science Daily • Jan. 30, 2024

The list of walking wounded in Salt Lake City continues to mount.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 1, 2023

They passed the walking wounded who could go no further.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan