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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 Bush frontman first met Kaya at Los Angeles Animal Services’ East Valley Animal Shelter, where the dog had already experienced a traumatic past. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026 The act also detailed that stress caused by exposure to one or more traumatic events while on duty is considered a personal injury in the line of duty. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 How trauma affects the brain According to the World Health Organization, approximately 70 percent of people worldwide report experiencing a traumatic event in their lifetime. — Michele Patterson Ford, Scientific American, 22 Aug. 2026 Research indicates that people experience traumatic memories differently than memories of other significant events, such as sad or positive experiences. — Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for traumatic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for traumatic

Adjective

Anne Hathaway is a leftist, woke, horrible choice for DAYS OF THUNDER NASCAR audience who are MAGA.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026
These two rubber bands in our throat are affected by everything from hormones to psychology to a bad day to a horrible night’s sleep to the sniffles or whatever.

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of horrible

Adjective

Whether the outcome will be terrible or beautiful is unclear.

— Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026
Feral pigeons are famously terrible nest builders and are drawn to buildings and roofs with features like solar panels, chimneys, eaves, and AC units to make their homes.

— Molly Burford, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of terrible

Adjective

Surrounded by the healing landscape of the Sonoran Desert, the luxe getaway has welcomed travelers seeking to put aside digital overload and other overwhelming stimuli in order to reconnect with the best versions of themselves.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
Hearing her own words played as Houston’s coffin was carried away was overwhelming for Parton.

— Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of overwhelming

Adjective

That year, the head trainer of the Commanders was found to have been illegally distributing oxycodone to players — an unsettling reminder of the NFL's difficult history with painkillers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
The quirky robot is a notable departure from the more unsettling machines that typically make headlines today.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of unsettling

Adjective

Cyber stocks late last year and into 2026 were being lumped into the awful enterprise software trade.

— Paulina Likos, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
In 2024, Burke’s squad dragged itself off the mat after an awful (yet at the time, typical) start to the season to go unbeaten in 12 of 13 matches down the stretch and narrowly miss the playoffs.

— Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of awful

Adjective

The days before a treatment plan is set can be a confusing and unpredictable time, but know that all the information gathering will be worth it, even if the wait feels unbearable.

— Lindy Segal, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
That pertness should be unbearable, but the scene is written in a minor key and performed by both actors to match, favouring eye contact and murmurs; the sheer brevity prevents it from becoming gloopy or crass.

— Caspar Salmon, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of unbearable

Adjective

The project follows a husband and wife who buy their dream ranch only to discover the land is alive with ancient spirits, and survival means submitting to increasingly disturbing rituals with each turn of the season.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
You might be surprised by just how disturbing The Texas Chain Saw Massacre remains more than 50 years later.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of disturbing

Browse Nearby Words

trashy

traumatic

traumatically

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Traumatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traumatic. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of traumatic

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes