torturous

tor·tur·ous

adj \ˈtȯrch-rəs, ˈtȯr-chə-\

Definition of TORTUROUS

1

a : causing torture <torturous inquisitions> b : very unpleasant or painful <a torturous day> <torturous self-doubts>

2

: painfully difficult or slow <the torturous course of the negotiations>

— tor·tur·ous·ly adverb

Examples of TORTUROUS

1. <relatives had to make the torturous decision to disconnect the patient's life-support system>
2. <the post-infection treatment for rabies was as notoriously torturous as the disease itself>

First Known Use of TORTUROUS

15th century

Related to TORTUROUS

Synonyms: afflicting, agonizing, cruel, excruciating, galling, grievous, harrowing, harsh, heartrending, hurtful, painful, tormenting, bitter

Antonyms: gratifying, pleasing, sweet

Related Words: insufferable, insupportable, intolerable, unacceptable, unbearable, unendurable, unsupportable; appalling, awful, bad, dire, dreadful, ghastly, horrible, miserable, nasty, rotten, severe, terrible, vile, wretched; acute, extreme, intense, piercing

Near Antonyms: bearable, endurable, supportable, sustainable, tolerable; livable (also liveable), sufferable, survivable; acceptable, allowable, reasonable

see all synonyms and antonyms

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