torture

²torture

verb

tor·turedtor·tur·ing\ˈtȯrch-riŋ, ˈtȯr-chə-\

Definition of TORTURE

transitive verb

1

: to cause intense suffering to : torment

2

: to punish or coerce by inflicting excruciating pain

3

: to twist or wrench out of shape : distort, warp

— tor·tur·er \ˈtȯr-chər-ər\ noun

Examples of TORTURE

1. The report revealed that prisoners had been repeatedly tortured.
2. Don't torture yourself over the mistake.

First Known Use of TORTURE

1588

Related to TORTURE

Synonyms: agonize, anguish, bedevil, beset, besiege, curse, excruciate, harrow, persecute, plague, rack, torment, afflict

Related Words: assail, attack; badger, dog, hound, pursue, ride; aggravate, agitate, annoy, bother, bug, chafe, distress, disturb, exasperate, gall, get, grate, gripe, hagride, harass, harry, irk, irritate, molest, nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put out, rasp, rile, vex; discomfort, discompose, disquiet, fluster, grieve, perturb, strain, stress, trouble, try, upset, worry; crush, oppress, overpower, overwhelm, smite, strike, tyrannize, victimize; hurt, pain, pang, prick, smart, stab, sting, wring; martyr

Near Antonyms: abet, aid, assist, help; deliver, release, relieve, reprieve; comfort, console, content, quiet, solace, soothe, succor

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

See Synonym Discussion at afflict