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

Harrison is traumatized, unable to live with the guilt and the nightmares he’s been having. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 1 Aug. 2025

The seemingly random act of extreme violence traumatized the community, but 30 years of investigations produced only dead end after dead end. —PC Magazine, 1 Aug. 2025

Alone, displaced, and traumatized, the children who are still alive are extremely psychologically vulnerable. —Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2025

Although prosecutors dropped all criminal trespassing charges, students say the ordeal left them traumatized, diminished their work ethic and deteriorated their mental health. —Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 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-