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Did you know?
Trauma is the Greek word for "wound". Although the Greeks used the term only for physical injuries, nowadays trauma is just as likely to refer to emotional wounds. We now know that a traumatic event can leave psychological symptoms long after any physical injuries have healed. The psychological reaction to severe emotional trauma now has an established name: post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. It usually occurs after an extremely stressful event, such as wartime combat, a natural disaster, or sexual or physical abuse; its symptoms include depression, anxiety, flashbacks, and recurring nightmares.
Examples of trauma in a Sentence
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2026
Police found Ana Nikollbibaj unconscious on her bedroom floor with severe head trauma and lacerations, the outlet reported.
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Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
4 July 2026
Psychological trauma is also emerging as a major secondary crisis.
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Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2026
In her moving podcast, Ursula shares her family's story and explores the generational trauma and lasting impact the Vietnam War has on veterans.
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Janet W. Lee,
NPR,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for trauma
Cite this Entry
“Trauma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trauma. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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Medical Definition
M. R. Eichelberger
