traumatize

especially British, trau·ma·tise

[trou-muh-tahyz, traw-]

verb (used with object)

traumatized, traumatizing 

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

Other Word Forms

• traumatization noun
• untraumatized 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

But now, although she said she is still traumatized, she wouldn’t live anywhere else.

From Los Angeles Times

In another exchange from September 2024, Borysenko said, “We were all lied to about World War II. They traumatized us in school with atrocity propaganda.”

From Salon

It exposes people to violence almost daily, and it is inherently traumatizing.

From Salon

“He was traumatized and hysterical that his house was destroyed, his two dogs and two cats were inside and that they were all dead,” Hirscher said in a phone interview.

From Los Angeles Times

Kirk’s wife and two young children will forever be shattered by his death, and the 3,000 witnesses — survivors themselves — who had gathered to hear him speak stand to be traumatized by what they saw.

From Salon

Related Words

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