traumatize

verb

trau·​ma·​tize ˈtrȯ-mə-ˌtīz 

also

ˈtrau̇- 

traumatized; traumatizing

transitive verb

: to inflict a trauma upon

traumatization

ˌtrȯ-mə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

also

ˌtrau̇- 

noun

Examples of traumatize in a Sentence

He was traumatized by the experience.

Recent Examples on the Web

That is so traumatizing in itself, and then it’s compiled with his abusive father and being bullied at school and being excluded from his friends and struggling with his self-identity. —Adam B. Vary, Variety, 27 Nov. 2025

They are traumatized and – over the Biden inflation. —NBC news, 23 Nov. 2025

Anyone who has been traumatized by the mechanisms of a pullout couch can find solace in the Koala Sofa Bed, a frameless design that folds out in one step. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 21 Nov. 2025

The boy's father told CBS News Miami his son will need seven to 10 stitches and is traumatized by the incident. —Abby Dodge, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for traumatize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

traumatize

verb

trau·​ma·​tize ˈtrau̇-mə-ˌtīz 

ˈtrȯ-

traumatized; traumatizing

: to inflict trauma upon

was traumatized by the accident

Medical Definition

traumatize

transitive verb

trau·​ma·​tize

variants also British traumatise

-ˌtīz 

traumatized also British traumatised; traumatizing also British traumatising

: to inflict a trauma upon

traumatized tissues

children traumatized by physical abuse

traumatization noun

also British traumatisation

ˌtrȯ-mət-ə-ˈzā-shən  ˌtrau̇-