traumatize

verb

trau·​ma·​tize ˈtrȯ-mə-ˌtīz 

also

ˈtrau̇- 

traumatized; traumatizing

transitive verb

: to inflict a trauma upon

traumatization

ˌtrȯ-mə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

also

ˌtrau̇- 

noun

Examples of traumatize in a Sentence

He was traumatized by the experience.

Recent Examples on the Web

Opposition to a Palestinian state grew among the Israeli population traumatized from Hamas’s attack, even at the expense of Saudi normalization. —Laura Kelly, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2025

By the time anyone dared return — at great personal risk — the park’s permanent denizens hadn’t been fed in a week, and were further traumatized by ongoing bombardments. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 8 Jan. 2025

He was initially traumatized by the film's similarities to his experience of having tornadoes chase him rather than the other way around. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 31 Dec. 2024

Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, traumatized Israel’s people and led to a protracted and deadly war in Gaza. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

traumatize

verb

trau·​ma·​tize ˈtrau̇-mə-ˌtīz 

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 

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  ˌtrau̇-