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 Davis says having a strong support system can play an important role in how people cope after a traumatic event. — Nicky Zizaza, CBS News, 11 Sep. 2026 And yet, no current-day technology could have intensified the shock or gravity of an event that was already, immeasurably, traumatic. — David Friend, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026 The new information pointed the doctors to the idea of an underlying traumatic injury. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2026 There were lengthy discussions about whether, when and how the TV networks should show other potentially traumatic content, like videos of the planes hitting the towers. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for traumatic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for traumatic

Adjective

Much has been written about the power of artificial intelligence to improve life in myriad ways, but also about its truly horrible effects—now and going forward—if it isn’t managed properly.

— Nadine Hack, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
But the horrible scenes that unfolded before him were incomparable.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of horrible

Adjective

Bringing together the private shattering of a home with the epic tale of homecoming offers Gluck a distanced, often ironic, stance on her life’s most painful moments.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Veterinarians diagnosed Cheeto with feline idiopathic cystitis, which causes a painful inflammation of the bladder.

— Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of painful

Adjective

And yet, despite overwhelming evidence that pointed to Lizzie as the killer, a year later, following a high-profile two-week trial, an all-male jury, deliberating for a little more than an hour, decided to acquit her.

— Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Though the legislation received overwhelming support from lawmakers, some environmental and anti-data center groups opposed the measure, calling it a half-step.

— Justin Papp, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of overwhelming

Adjective

Nelson took 12 years to get the project made, and that labor-of-love aspect shows in the soulfulness and meticulous care the writer-director brings to this unsettling story of violence begetting violence, based on actual events.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
Trapped together in the heavy, stifling isolation of the summer heat, the siblings’ bond begins to shift into something unsettling and difficult to define.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of unsettling

Adjective

The Colts got whacked by the Ravens, and their new-look defense was awful.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2026
In one respect, John Harbaugh seems to have brought winning football back to New York New Jersey Stadium; conversely, the Cowboys’ defense is sufficiently awful to make even the lowliest opponent look like a contender.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of awful

Adjective

Her unbearable grief drove her to drop out without warning, without notice, nothing.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026
The defining feature of Israeli apartheid is to make Palestinian life unbearable until our removal can be recorded as an act of free will.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of unbearable

Adjective

More than a month after Perez Hilton appeared in a disturbing livestream appearing to engage in acts of self-harm at this Miami-area home, his family is addressing the rumor mill.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
As tensions rise and boundaries begin to blur, their grandmother’s frail presence takes on an increasingly disturbing quality, turning a once-idyllic summer into a haunting passage into adulthood.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of disturbing

Browse Nearby Words

trashy

traumatic

traumatically

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“Traumatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traumatic. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of traumatic

adjective

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