post-traumatic

adjective

post-trau·​mat·​ic ˌpōs(t)-trə-ˈma-tik How to pronounce post-traumatic (audio)
-trȯ-, 
-trau̇-
variants or less commonly posttraumatic
: occurring after or as a result of trauma
post-traumatic seizures
post-traumatic headache

Examples of post-traumatic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
King’s claim said the arrest also reactivated post-traumatic stress disorder from her deployments to Iraq, prompting difficulty sleeping and eating. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 29 July 2026 As someone with post-traumatic stress disorder, Flehinger also thinks he was unfairly judged for some of his past behavior. — Margie Cullen, USA Today, 29 July 2026 The stress that police officers experience is associated with higher rates of divorce, alcohol abuse, heart disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. — Meg Anderson, NPR, 23 July 2026 All of the 200 children and adolescents initially qualified for the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder; after the group’s fifth session, with war still killing and maiming their friends, only 30% qualified. — James Gordon, Time, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for post-traumatic

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary post- + traumatic

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of post-traumatic was in 1872

Rhymes for post-traumatic

See All Rhymes for post-traumatic

Browse Nearby Words

posttranslational
post-traumatic
post-traumatic stress disorder
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Post-traumatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/post-traumatic. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

post-traumatic

adjective
post-trau·​mat·​ic -trə-ˈmat-ik, -trȯ-, -trau̇- How to pronounce post-traumatic (audio)
: occurring after or as a result of trauma
post-traumatic epilepsy
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

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

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All