traumatize

[ trou-muh-tahyz, traw- ]

verb (used with object)

, trau·ma·tized, trau·ma·tiz·ing.

1. Pathology. to injure (tissues) by force or by thermal, chemical, etc., agents.
2. Psychiatry. to cause a trauma in (the mind):

   to be traumatized by a childhood experience.

traumatize

/ ˈtrɔːməˌtaɪz /

verb

1. tr to wound or injure (the body)
2. to subject or be subjected to mental trauma

Derived Forms

• ˌtraumatiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• trauma·ti·zation noun
• un·trauma·tized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of traumatize¹

First recorded in 1900–05, traumatize is from the Greek word traumatízein to wound. See traumatic, -ize

Example Sentences

They laugh again, but this is the studio that traumatized us all with the opening sequence of “Up.”

From Los Angeles Times

Imani mentioned that his organization is also focused on serving war-displaced people impacted by the disease, another complexity best addressed by local human rights organizations that are already serving displaced and traumatized populations.

From Salon

In “Snail,” a traumatized and lonely young Grace risks becoming a hoarding hermit until she bonds with the older Pinky, who is the essence of joie de vivre.

From Los Angeles Times

While news outlets rushed to provide “fact-checking,” which boiled down to “None of this is true,” the country, already exhausted and traumatized by a pandemic, tried to contextualize the enormity of Trump’s actions.

From Los Angeles Times

And though it may not be traumatizing, like the New York Times’ needle, or misleading, like election-betting markets, the chartthrobs’ increasing prominence in election coverage nonetheless reflects similar propensities.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disturb
• grieve
• hurt
• mortify
• offend
• outrage
• shock
• upset