traumatic
adjective
trau·mat·ic
trə-ˈma-tik 
trȯ-,
trau̇-
1
: psychologically or emotionally stressful in a way that can lead to serious mental and emotional problems
The report … revealed that the onset of bulimic behavior tends to be associated with voluntary dieting and with traumatic events such as the loss of a loved one.—
Ralph Heussner
Ralph HeussnerHe's been open and frank about his traumatic childhood scarred by violence and domestic abuse.—Stephen Milton
Stephen Milton
broadly
: causing distress or anxiety
The traumatic experience of the Wall Street crash and the long depression of the 1930s has gradually faded from memory … —Jack Revell
Jack Revell The arrival of mass tourism in a previously unspoilt area … was certainly traumatic. —Graham Robb
Graham Robb 2
medical
: relating to, being, or caused by a sudden, severe, often life-threatening injury to the body
… the lone medical centers in the Triad to treat victims of traumatic injuries such as life-threatening car wrecks or shootings.—Pat Kimbrough
Pat KimbroughThree years ago, she was in a traumatic car crash that shattered her pelvis, and caused numerous other injuries.—Brad Gillman
Brad GillmanThere have been reports of shrapnel causing a traumatic fistula between the right coronary artery and the right atrium.—Matthias Eikermann et al.
Matthias Eikermann et al.
also
: involving or causing tissue damage or physical stress
The artery-dilating procedure, which uses a balloon or other device guided to the restricted artery by a cardiac catheter, is less invasive and traumatic than coronary artery bypass surgery. —Andrew Skolnick
Andrew Skolnick Open-heart surgery has become all but routine in recent years, although still physically traumatic. —Ralph T. King, Jr.
see also chronic traumatic encephalopathy, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury
Ralph T. King, Jr. Examples of traumatic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Shields, now 59, opened up about a traumatic procedure performed without her consent that occurred during her 40s to Us Weekly in an article that was published on Wednesday, January 8.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
When a traumatic event leaves the community in shambles, Ellie sets out on a mission to bring those responsible to justice.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025
By proactively planning and training, communities can significantly mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack, safeguard their populations and ensure a quicker recovery from such traumatic events.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2025
Talking about traumatic experiences in their past could help address the root cause of their addiction.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Jan. 2025
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Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
When a traumatic event leaves the community in shambles, Ellie sets out on a mission to bring those responsible to justice.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025
By proactively planning and training, communities can significantly mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack, safeguard their populations and ensure a quicker recovery from such traumatic events.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2025
Talking about traumatic experiences in their past could help address the root cause of their addiction.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for traumatic
Dictionary Entries Near traumatic
Cite this Entry
“Traumatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traumatic. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
traumatic
adjective
trau·mat·ic
trə-ˈmat-ik, trȯ-, trau̇-
: of, relating to, resulting from, or causing a trauma
cases of traumatic rupture—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Associationa traumatic experience
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