Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

traumatize

[trou-muh-tahyz, traw-]
See more synonyms for traumatize on Thesaurus.com
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.
Show More
Also especially British, trau·ma·tise.

Origin of traumatize

First recorded in 1900–05, traumatize is from the Greek word traumatízein to wound. See traumatic, -ize
Related formstrau·ma·ti·za·tion, nounun·trau·ma·tized, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

disturb, grieve, shock, upset, hurt, offend, mortify, outrage, pain, distress, get, bother, sting, trouble

Examples from the Web for traumatize

Contemporary Examples

British Dictionary definitions for traumatize

traumatize

traumatise

verb
  1. (tr) to wound or injure (the body)
  2. to subject or be subjected to mental trauma
Show More
Derived Formstraumatization or traumatisation, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for traumatize

v.

1903, of physical wounds; 1949 in the psychological sense, from Greek traumat-, stem of trauma (see trauma).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper