torment

1 of 2

noun

tor·​ment ˈtȯr-ˌment 

1

: extreme pain or anguish of body or mind : agony

She wrung her hands piteously together, looking like a soul in torment.

—Lucy Maud Montgomery

2

: a source of vexation or pain

Love is a delight; but hate a torment.

—Herman Melville

… the twin torments of his probable manic depression and chronic stomach pains.

—Neal Karlen

3

: the infliction of torture (as by rack or wheel)

torment

2 of 2

verb

tor·​ment tȯr-ˈment  ˈtȯr-ˌment 

tormented; tormenting; torments

transitive verb

1

: to cause severe usually persistent or recurrent distress of body or mind to

cattle tormented by flies

tormented by doubt

She liked me, but she laughed at me, and tormented me …

—Charles Dickens

2

: distort, twist

tormented adjective

… Emily—who is easily one of the most tormented characters of the show …

—Rowan Born

The Witch makes the mundane sinister, from the tormented shapes of the corn husks in the field to the weird glow of pewter by candlelight.

—Katy Waldman

Synonyms

Noun

• agony
• Gehenna
• hell
• horror
• misery
• murder
• nightmare
• torture

Verb

• afflict
• agonize
• anguish
• bedevil
• beset
• besiege
• curse
• excruciate
• harrow
• persecute
• plague
• rack
• torture

Choose the Right Synonym for torment

afflict, try, torment, torture, rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear.

afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.

ills that afflict the elderly

try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

children often try their parents' patience

torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

a horse tormented by flies

torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

tortured by a sense of guilt

rack stresses straining or wrenching.

a body racked by pain

Examples of torment in a Sentence

Noun

No one could understand his inner torment.

After years of torment, she left her husband.

The mosquitoes were a constant torment.

Verb

Not knowing where she was tormented him.

he was tormented by nightmares about the accident

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And despite their freedom from captivity, the torment goes on. —Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 9 Apr. 2024

Among all of its gruesome set pieces, culminating in Room 101 in the Ministry of Love, the novel’s most decisive act of torment is a simple glance in the mirror. —Stephen Metcalf, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French turment, torment, from Latin tormentum torture; akin to torquēre to twist — more at torture entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing torment

• self-torment

Kids Definition

torment

1 of 2 noun

tor·​ment ˈtȯr-ˌment 

1

: extreme pain or distress of body or mind

2

: a cause of suffering in mind or body

torment

2 of 2 verb

tor·​ment tȯr-ˈment 

ˈtȯr-ˌment

1

: to cause severe suffering of body or mind to

2

: to cause worry, distress, or trouble to : harass

tormentor

tȯr-ˈment-ər

ˈtȯr-ˌment-

noun