traumatize

verb

trau·​ma·​tize ˈtrȯ-mə-ˌtīz How to pronounce traumatize (audio)
also
ˈtrau̇- How to pronounce traumatize (audio)
traumatized; traumatizing

transitive verb

: to inflict a trauma upon
traumatization
ˌtrȯ-mə-tə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce traumatize (audio)
also
ˌtrau̇- How to pronounce traumatize (audio)
noun

Examples of traumatize in a Sentence

He was traumatized by the experience.
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.
What’s important is the moment that Yeon-hui realizes that Yang-rae is traumatized by oculus windows. — Regina Kim, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025 Clearly, they are traumatized from what's happened with this affordability crisis that was brought on by the previous administration. — NBC News, 16 Mar. 2025 Partition is never an appealing policy option, least of all on a continent traumatized by the way colonial powers arbitrarily carved up communities. — Hannah Rae Armstrong, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2025 Ridley, traumatized by the cancer death of her mother and considered mostly a wastrel by those around her for pursuing a degree in the dread-inducing major of art history, knows a thing or two about the mythology behind these kindly rainbow-spewing creatures. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for traumatize

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of traumatize was in 1903

Rhymes for traumatize

See All Rhymes for traumatize

Browse Nearby Words

traumatism
traumatize
traumatized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Traumatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traumatize. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

traumatize

verb
trau·​ma·​tize ˈtrau̇-mə-ˌtīz How to pronounce traumatize (audio)
ˈtrȯ-
traumatized; traumatizing
: to inflict trauma upon
was traumatized by the accident

Medical Definition

traumatize

transitive verb
trau·​ma·​tize
variants also British traumatise
-ˌtīz How to pronounce traumatize (audio)
traumatized also British traumatised; traumatizing also British traumatising
: to inflict a trauma upon
traumatized tissues
children traumatized by physical abuse
traumatization noun
also British traumatisation
ˌtrȯ-mət-ə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce traumatize (audio) ˌtrau̇- How to pronounce traumatize (audio)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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