traumatic

adjective

trau·​mat·​ic trə-ˈma-tik How to pronounce traumatic (audio)
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
He's been open and frank about his traumatic childhood scarred by violence and domestic abuse.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
The arrival of mass tourism in a previously unspoilt area … was certainly traumatic. 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
Three years ago, she was in a traumatic car crash that shattered her pelvis, and caused numerous other injuries.Brad Gillman
There have been reports of shrapnel causing a traumatic fistula between the right coronary artery and the right atrium.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
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
traumatically
trə-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce traumatic (audio)
trȯ-
trau̇-
adverb

Examples of traumatic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Glenda Evans, Marcus’ mother and a city employee, spoke briefly of the traumatic effects of the incident. Christian Martinez, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024 According to media reports, as well as documenting the tour, the pop superstar will also discuss her experience of dealing with traumatic events while on the road. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 This training emphasizes the power of movement in helping kids manage and process life’s everyday stresses, not just major traumatic events. Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 4 Nov. 2024 In our timeline, Moonlight’s surprise Best Picture win came during the traumatic opening weeks of the Trump presidency, which likely helped rally voters to its side. Nate Jones, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for traumatic 

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of traumatic was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near traumatic

Cite this Entry

“Traumatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traumatic. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

traumatic

adjective
trau·​mat·​ic trə-ˈmat-ik, trȯ-, trau̇- How to pronounce traumatic (audio)
: of, relating to, resulting from, or causing a trauma
cases of traumatic ruptureThe Journal of the American Medical Association
a traumatic experience
traumatically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on traumatic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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