traumatize

Traumatize means to cause someone serious emotional or mental harm.

When we talk about traumatizing something or someone, it's usually because of an event that was really upsetting or painful. We might say "the trauma of losing a loved one" or "being traumatized by a car accident." Trauma is often associated with strong emotions like fear, anxiety, or sadness. For example, if you watch a disturbing movie and feel shaken for days afterward, people might say it's because the film was traumatic for you. In everyday language, we use this word to describe situations that were overwhelming or distressing, even if they're not related to extreme events.