Defatigable vs. Fatigue — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 2, 2024
Defatigable implies susceptibility to tiredness, while fatigue refers to the state of being extremely tired or exhausted.
Difference Between Defatigable and Fatigue
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Defatigable refers to the ability or tendency to become tired, showing susceptibility to fatigue. Whereas, fatigue is the actual state of weariness resulting from exertion or prolonged stress.
Defatigable might be used to describe materials or individuals prone to tiring over time under stress or activity. On the other hand, fatigue can describe both a physical and psychological condition of exhaustion.
In terms of attributes, something that is defatigable has a limit to how much stress or activity it can withstand before tiring. While, fatigue represents the culmination of reaching that limit.
Defatigable can also imply a recoverable state where rest or relief can restore energy. Whereas, in the case of fatigue, recovery might require not just rest, but also other forms of recuperation like nutrition or medical intervention.
From a usage perspective, "defatigable" is less commonly used and more formal, typically appearing in more scientific or technical contexts. In contrast, "fatigue" is widely recognized and used in everyday language to describe tiredness at any level.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Able to be fatigued; susceptible to tiredness
The state of being tired; weariness
Usage
More formal, less common
Common, widely used
Contexts
Often scientific or technical
Medical, psychological, everyday contexts
Recovery
Implies potential for recovery
May require specific interventions
Describes
A capacity or tendency
An actual condition
Compare with Definitions
Defatigable
Prone to exhaustion when subjected to stress.
Defatigable machines require more frequent maintenance.
Fatigue
A medical condition characterized by chronic tiredness.
Chronic fatigue syndrome affects many people worldwide.
Defatigable
Not resistant to depletion of energy.
Defatigable resources are a major concern in sustainable development.
Fatigue
Loss of efficiency in materials due to repeated stress.
Metal fatigue can lead to catastrophic structural failures.
Defatigable
Having limits in endurance.
Human workers are defatigable and cannot match the continuous output of automated systems.
Fatigue
A state of extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion.
After the marathon, she experienced severe fatigue.
Defatigable
Able to be tired or fatigued by exertion.
Even the most defatigable athletes need significant recovery time.
Fatigue
Psychological state of reduced efficiency due to prolonged stress.
Job-related stress led to mental fatigue among employees.
Defatigable
Susceptible to physical or mental weariness.
The defatigable nature of the material makes it unsuitable for long-term construction.
Fatigue
Weariness from bodily or mental exertion.
The fatigue from studying all night was visible on his face.
Defatigable
Easily tired or wearied; capable of being fatigued.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a feeling of tiredness. It may be sudden or gradual in onset.
Defatigable
Capable of being wearied or tired out.
Fatigue
Physical or mental weariness resulting from effort or activity.
Fatigue
Something, such as tiring effort or activity, that causes tiredness or weariness
The fatigue of a long hike.
Fatigue
(Physiology) The decreased capacity or complete inability of an organism, organ, or part to function normally because of excessive stimulation or prolonged exertion.
Fatigue
The weakening or failure of a material, such as metal or wood, resulting from prolonged stress.
Fatigue
Manual or menial labor, such as barracks cleaning, assigned to soldiers.
Fatigue
Fatigues Clothing worn by military personnel for labor or for field duty.
Fatigue
To tire out; exhaust.
Fatigue
To create fatigue in (a metal or other material).
Fatigue
To be or become tired.
Fatigue
A weariness caused by exertion; exhaustion.
Fatigue
(often in the plural) A menial task or tasks, especially in the military.
Fatigue
(engineering) Weakening and eventual failure of material, typically by cracking leading to complete separation, caused by repeated application of mechanical stress to the material.
Fatigue
(transitive) To tire or make weary by physical or mental exertion.
Fatigue
To wilt a salad by dressing or tossing it.
Fatigue
(intransitive) To lose so much strength or energy that one becomes tired, weary, feeble or exhausted.
Fatigue
To undergo the process of fatigue; to fail as a result of fatigue.
Fatigue
To cause to undergo the process of fatigue.
The repeated pressurization cycles fatigued the airplane's metal skin until it eventually broke up in flight.
Fatigue
Weariness from bodily labor or mental exertion; lassitude or exhaustion of strength.
Fatigue
The cause of weariness; labor; toil; as, the fatigues of war.
Fatigue
The weakening of a metal when subjected to repeated vibrations or strains.
Fatigue
To weary with labor or any bodily or mental exertion; to harass with toil; to exhaust the strength or endurance of; to tire.
Fatigue
Temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work;
He was hospitalized for extreme fatigue
Growing fatigue was apparent from the decline in the execution of their athletic skills
Weariness overcame her after twelve hours and she fell asleep
Fatigue
Used of materials (especially metals) in a weakened state caused by long stress;
Metal fatigue
Fatigue
(always used with a modifier) boredom resulting from overexposure to something;
He was suffering from museum fatigue
After watching TV with her husband she had a bad case of football fatigue
The American public is experiencing scandal fatigue
Political fatigue
Fatigue
Labor of a nonmilitary kind done by soldiers (cleaning or digging or draining or so on);
The soldiers were put on fatigue to teach them a lesson
They were assigned to kitchen fatigues
Fatigue
Get tired of something or somebody
Fatigue
Exhaust or tire through overuse or great strain or stress;
We wore ourselves out on this hike
Common Curiosities
What is the primary difference between defatigable and fatigue?
Defatigable is an attribute indicating susceptibility to becoming tired, while fatigue is the condition of being tired.
Can an object be described as defatigable?
Yes, objects, especially materials, can be described as defatigable when they are susceptible to weariness under repeated stress.
What are common causes of fatigue?
Common causes include prolonged physical or mental activity, stress, lack of sleep, and medical conditions.
How can one manage or treat fatigue?
Management of fatigue involves rest, proper nutrition, and in some cases, medical intervention.
Is defatigable a commonly used term?
No, it is relatively formal and less common compared to fatigue.
What is the relationship between fatigue and performance?
Increased fatigue typically leads to a decrease in both physical and mental performance.
Are there psychological aspects of fatigue?
Yes, psychological fatigue can occur from long-term emotional stress or strain.
Is fatigue always a negative condition?
Mostly, yes, as it implies a reduction in performance and well-being, though it can also be a natural result of beneficial physical exertion.
How do you measure fatigue in materials?
Fatigue in materials is measured by stress tests that determine endurance limits under cyclic loading.
How does one identify fatigue in a clinical setting?
In clinical settings, fatigue is identified through patient symptoms, medical history, and sometimes specific tests.
Can mental activities lead to fatigue?
Yes, prolonged cognitive activities can lead to mental fatigue, reducing cognitive efficiency.
Can fatigue be prevented?
Preventative measures for fatigue include maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep.
Can fatigue be a symptom of other illnesses?
Yes, fatigue is a common symptom in many illnesses, such as anemia, diabetes, and depression.
What is an example of a defatigable system in technology?
In technology, systems that require cooling or rest periods due to overheating are considered defatigable.
Does fatigue affect decision-making?
Yes, fatigue can significantly impair decision-making abilities and reaction times.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
