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
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
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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
Dictionary Entries Near traumatic
Cite this Entry
“Traumatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traumatic. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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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