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.
Some of the crew still see the show as something to be proud of, even if the contestants were traumatized by it. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026 Dozens of arrests have been made but so far no one has been convicted in an affair that traumatized Mexico and stained the country's reputation. — CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026 Rachel Maulson said her children are traumatized by the incident. — Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 21 Sep. 2026 Israelis, freshly traumatized, viewed Qatar as their enemy’s patron. — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026 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

traumatization
traumatize
traumatized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Traumatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traumatize. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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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)
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