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 Bezy died inside the home of blunt-force trauma and traumatic asphyxia, according to Matis’ arrest report. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 Another on-ramp to the fragile pathway is a childhood of abuse, neglect, or other recurring traumatic experiences. — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 Ellen’s appearance and actions may signal a shift, but Sonny has also gone through a traumatic accident. — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 An additional woman, 61, was hospitalized for medical complications unrelated to traumatic injuries, bringing the total number transported to 11. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for traumatic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for traumatic

Adjective

In most versions of the Greek mythology, Medusa is a beautiful woman that was cursed by the goddess Athena with a head of snakes instead of hair and the horrible ability to turn people to stone with just one look.

— Lynsey Eidell, Glamour, 26 Oct. 2026
The battle is between that horrible atmosphere and some of the horrific candidates that have been nominated by the Democratic Party.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of horrible

Adjective

Harvard Health’s advice on coping with holiday grief suggests adjusting celebrations or starting new traditions when old ones feel too painful.

— Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
In theory, the war’s descent into a painful stalemate should open the door to diplomatic outcomes.

— ALLISON MINOR, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of painful

Adjective

His teams are terrible just before halftime, having been outscored 107-6 in the coach's 24 games.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
If the purpose of buying a suit were merely obtaining clothing, three fittings would be terrible service.

— Anna van Praagh, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrible

Adjective

There were tent camps on both sides of the border, caravans of people trudging through Central America and concerns about newcomers overwhelming social services.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
There are no flies in the ointment of the overwhelming touring success of Noah Kahan.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of overwhelming

Adjective

Jess Alder says dollhouse props fly off shelves, and the old building’s creaks can make closing time a little unsettling.

— Josh Davis, Baltimore Sun, 30 Oct. 2026
So on Wednesday, after a full day of quiet, more people than usual were out on the streets in Kherson, enjoying the short glimpse of peaceful life, though many said the calm still felt unsettling.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsettling

Adjective

In Obsession’s most horrifying sequence, the audience senses something awful is about to unfold several beats before the frenzy of blunt-force head trauma actually takes place on screen.

— Chris Lee, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
As Philip awaits trial at home, Lucy processes the shock, too smart to believe this is all some awful misunderstanding.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of awful

Adjective

Depending on your tolerance for grand aims and liturgical self-seriousness, her latest album may strike you as extraordinary or unbearable.

— Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026
Food waste ruined amid the blaze took more than two months to clean up as the operation missed several deadlines set by the city, leading to unbearable odors in the area and rodent infestations.

— Austin Turner, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of unbearable

Adjective

One of the most disturbing reasons given was that the DOT will never install a speed reducer closer than a distance of 1,000 feet (nearly a quarter of a mile) from a speed camera.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Oct. 2026
Family members reported objects disappearing, beds lifting, unexplained odors, and other disturbing occurrences in the house.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Oct. 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 2 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of traumatic

adjective

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