traumatic

[truh-mat-ik, traw-, trou-]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or produced by a trauma or wound.

2. adapted to the cure of wounds.

3. psychologically painful.

Other Word Forms

• traumatically adverb
• untraumatic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of traumatic¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Late Latin traumaticus, from Greek traumatikós “pertaining to wounds,” from traumat- (stem of traûma trauma ) + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

"Due to the traumatic event that happened at our lovely school this afternoon we will be closed for all children tomorrow," the school said on its Facebook page on Wednesday.

Read more on BBC

“It doesn’t take much to think about how traumatic that could be for anyone at any age,” Hanks said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The body of June Bunyan, 37, who was originally from Arran, was found on 11 September, having suffered traumatic neck injuries.

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“We extend our support to Michael, his family, and all in Simi Valley who have been impacted by this hateful and traumatic incident,” she said in the Aug. 7 statement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Criminalizing the care doesn’t stop the actual complications associated with pregnancy. It just makes it more dangerous and traumatic,” she added.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• awful 
• chilling 
• disquieting 
• dreadful 
• eerie 
• ghastly 
• grim 
• grisly 
• hair-raising 
• hellish 
• horrible 
• horrid 
• horrifying 
• macabre 
• scary 
• spooky 
• terrible 
• terrifying