What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
traumatism
Example
The traumatism from the car accident left her with a broken leg and severe emotional distress. [traumatism: noun]
Example
The traumatism of the war had a lasting impact on his mental health. [traumatism: noun]
shock
Example
She was in shock after hearing the news of her father's sudden death. [shock: noun]
Example
The patient went into shock after losing a significant amount of blood. [shock: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shock is more commonly used than traumatism in everyday language. Shock is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while traumatism is less common and is primarily used in medical or therapeutic settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between traumatism and shock?
Both traumatism and shock are formal words that are typically used in medical or therapeutic contexts. However, shock is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.