torturous

tor·tur·ous

adjective \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