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Meaning & use

emotionally scarred

adjective·Everydayfigurative

Last updated

UK/ɪˈməʊʃənəli skɑːd/
US/ɪˈmoʊʃənəli skɑːrd/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparablefigurative

    Left with lasting emotional pain or damage because of a bad experience.

    Grammar: Often follows be, and by introduces the cause: emotionally scarred by the divorce.

    Patterns

    • emotionally scarred by something
    • be emotionally scarred

    The children were emotionally scarred by the long conflict at home.

    He was emotionally scarred after years of being bullied.

    She does not want her kids to grow up emotionally scarred.

  2. adjectivecomparableinformalhumorous

    Used humorously to describe someone who felt shocked or embarrassed by something minor.

    Grammar: Casual and exaggerated; a joke, not a real condition.

    Patterns

    • emotionally scarred by something
    • emotionally scarred for life

    I am emotionally scarred after seeing my teacher dance.

    He claims he is emotionally scarred by that terrible movie.

    We were emotionally scarred for life by the school play.

Word forms

comparativemore emotionally scarred
superlativemost emotionally scarred

Common combinations

emotionally scarred by
She was emotionally scarred by the accident.
emotionally scarred for life
The scene left him emotionally scarred for life.
deeply emotionally scarred
Many survivors are deeply emotionally scarred.
leave someone emotionally scarred
Neglect can leave a child emotionally scarred.
emotionally scarred children
The charity helps emotionally scarred children.

Synonyms and how they differ

traumatized
Traumatized is stronger and suggests severe psychological shock, while emotionally scarred describes longer-lasting damage.
damaged
Damaged is shorter and blunt, and it can sound judgmental about the person.
hurt
Hurt can describe a passing feeling, but emotionally scarred implies pain that lasts.

Opposites

unscathedemotionally healthy

Word family

scar noun
a mark left on skin after a wound has healed, or a lasting emotional mark
scarred adjective
marked with scars
emotion noun
a strong feeling
emotional adjective
relating to feelings

Commonly confused: emotionally scarred or scared?

emotionally scarred vs scared

Scared means afraid, while scarred means marked or damaged by an injury or hurt.

Practice

Years of constant criticism left her emotionally ___.

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