TRAUMATIC Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

traumatic

adjective

Definition of traumatic

as in horrible

causing great and lasting pain or distress The family struggled to cope with the traumatic experience of losing their home.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of traumatic The lawsuit spotlights ongoing industry concerns about the mental health of crew and producers, including those working on documentaries dealing with traumatic subject matters. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 15 July 2026 His relationship to Daeron suggests a traumatic and painful past between the two. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026 This was the most terrifying and traumatic experience of my life. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026 Renee Johns said Jacob has never recovered from his traumatic time at the Delta school. — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for traumatic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for traumatic

Adjective

The toll was horrible, with some families suffering multiple deaths and injuries.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
Plus, Palmer is a horrible person — in this case, the victim is much more despicable than the thieves.

— Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 8 July 2026

Definition of horrible

Adjective

When asked whether this was the most painful moment of his football career, Tuchel would not commit.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 18 July 2026
England was knocked out of the World Cup in painful fashion on Wednesday, surrendering two goals in the final 15 minutes of its semifinal clash with Argentina.

— Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of painful

Adjective

To sit still now would send a terrible message to a clubhouse full of pros, all of whom know the score.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026
Spieth decided the ball sitting on a steep slope and potentially on a terrible lie wasn’t playable.

— Brody Miller, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of terrible

Adjective

After overwhelming demand from fans, the residency soon expanded to an extensive 24 nights and will now run weekly in two-date increments from October 2026 through March 2027.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2026
But, for those who are dipping their toe into these massive markets for the first time, the experience can be overwhelming, even intimidating.

— Heather Bien, Southern Living, 18 July 2026

Definition of overwhelming

Adjective

After all, Against Nature is all about the unsettling atmosphere and the senses.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 July 2026
Seeking a fresh start, Ellie moves into a house on Delaney Row hoping to leave her troubled past behind, only to discover that her new home is steeped in dark secrets and unsettling mysteries.

— Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 3 July 2026

Definition of unsettling

Adjective

One year Pippa Middleton faced the awful shame of having to sit in a normal seat after showing up late.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Sugar is at the forensic lab with the corpse of a man who looks an awful lot like Ji Moon but isn’t Ji Moon (courtesy of Shea Whigham as Tom Flybjerg).

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 27 June 2026

Definition of awful

Adjective

The problem is Will Ferrell as Lonnie Hawkins, an utter miscalculation of characterization and performance chiefly responsible for turning what could be middling comedy into an unbearable slog.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 16 July 2026
The patient must be in an advanced or terminal stage, experiencing pain that cannot be relieved or is unbearable, and seeking lethal medication of their own free will.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026

Definition of unbearable

Browse Nearby Words

trashy

traumatic

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“Traumatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traumatic. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of traumatic

adjective

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