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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Recent Examples of traumatic
What makes the show special is John Cena's portrayal of a complex antihero with a traumatic past who can save the day (barely) but can't get out of his own way.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 July 2025
The poem did not mention Brown by name, but referenced a traumatic relationship and included accusations of gaslighting, threats and stonewalling.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
When the Silver Surfer arrives in New York to destroy the final teleportation tower, Johnny plays those traumatic recordings over speakers in Earth-828's version of Times Square, hoping to appeal to her empathy.
—EW.com, 25 July 2025
Officers responded and learned that a two-month-old baby was admitted to the hospital with a traumatic head injury and intracranial bleeding.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for traumatic
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 July 2025
The poem did not mention Brown by name, but referenced a traumatic relationship and included accusations of gaslighting, threats and stonewalling.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
When the Silver Surfer arrives in New York to destroy the final teleportation tower, Johnny plays those traumatic recordings over speakers in Earth-828's version of Times Square, hoping to appeal to her empathy.
—EW.com, 25 July 2025
Officers responded and learned that a two-month-old baby was admitted to the hospital with a traumatic head injury and intracranial bleeding.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for traumatic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for traumatic
Adjective
-
Because of Denise Gough's human frailty as a woman destroyed by her own ambition and Kyle Soller's cowardice in the face of a horrible truth.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
23 July 2025
-
Soak up the gall of losing, absorb the horrible information, feel it to the full, go there—and then rebound, with superb elasticity.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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The Chinese government can also make diversification painful.—
Steve Banker,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
-
Taking action to speak out against the Israeli government was deeply painful and difficult.—
Rachel Timoner,
New York Daily News,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Friday was particularly unsettling as terrible jobs data slammed the market and triggered President Donald Trump .—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
2 Aug. 2025
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My heart goes out to all of the Jewish children, grandchildren and future great-grandchildren who must ultimately bear the brunt of the terrible additional worldwide antisemitism caused directly by the horrific actions of the Israeli government over the past two years.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The weather service also issued a flood advisory for Edwards and Real counties until 2:30 p.m., citing minor flooding in low-lying areas with poor drainage and water overwhelming roadways.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
14 July 2025
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The restaurant offers a menu that strikes the perfect balance of enough variety without being overwhelming.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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It’s had a number of harrowing trailers and is now releasing full clips that the internet is finding deeply unsettling.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
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Tell me what were some of the other possibilities that were floated to deal with this unsettling initial singularity?—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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That said, The Magician of Tiger Castle did initially start out as a YA romcom about Princess Tullia escaping her betrothal to the neighboring kingdom’s awful prince.—
Natalie Zutter
August 1,
Literary Hub,
1 Aug. 2025
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Over the course of several weeks in June and July, CNN followed a group of Palestinian women facing an awful choice between risking their own lives, which could deprive their families of their only remaining provider, or watching their children starve.—
Sarah El Sirgany,
CNN Money,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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The screams of their hungry children are often unbearable.—
Sarah El Sirgany,
CNN Money,
30 July 2025
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For one corgi named Sophie, her post-weekend slumber has gained attention online for its unbearable cuteness.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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The board of the Regional Transportation Authority met Friday to discuss ways to respond to the cut, striking a note of optimism to counter the disturbing prediction for Tri-Rail’s future.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
25 July 2025
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This is a disturbing statistic and speaks to an increase in the total number of people defacing themselves, but also a rise in the amount of ink per person.—
Scott Liftman,
Boston Herald,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Traumatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traumatic. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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