1
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
relatives had to make the torturous decision to disconnect the patient's life-support system
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2
as in wrenching
intensely or unbearably painful
the post-infection treatment for rabies was as notoriously torturous as the disease itself
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Recent Examples of torturous
Good luck—these tiny, torturous bugs seem to be hard to dispose of, but there is a way to lure them in and disable them.
—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
Shinnecock Hills is full of triangles — sneaky but massive, and always torturous triangles.
—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
International human rights leaders have condemned nitrogen hypoxia as experimental, violent and potentially torturous.
—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
This Stanley Cup final is twisty, torturous and absolutely exhilarating.
—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for torturous
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
Shinnecock Hills is full of triangles — sneaky but massive, and always torturous triangles.
—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
International human rights leaders have condemned nitrogen hypoxia as experimental, violent and potentially torturous.
—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
This Stanley Cup final is twisty, torturous and absolutely exhilarating.
—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for torturous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torturous
Adjective
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However, Ukraine’s successes have highlighted its ability to inflict painful damage on Russia and change the course of the conflict while Moscow’s advances recently have ground to a near halt.
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California’s already-high electricity rates have increased far faster than inflation, threaten progress on climate change and pose painful affordability burdens on residents and businesses, the Berkeley report said.
Adjective
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His most wrenching scene, when Stagg receives a devastating personal call but cannot react amid the intense geopolitical stakes, captured this tension.
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Another wrenching question, of course, is whether at least the younger Perez siblings would want or need to go with Olga to Guatemala if she were deported.
Adjective
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Plant magnolias somewhere they will be protected from harsh winds, especially when buds or flowers are developing.
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Most clarifying shampoos tend to be a little harsh and drying, but this one is gentle and nourishing.
Adjective
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His agonizing response — Chisholm spent several minutes on the ground in pain — only seemed to confirm that.
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There are many reasons the Rays have followed their amazing 22-4 stretch (from April 22-May 22) with an agonizing 7-15 run (May 24 through Wednesday).
Adjective
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Passing a child who is unprepared may be the cruelest act of all.
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This is your news to share or not share; posting about this on Facebook strikes me as cruel.
Adjective
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One narrative offers an excruciating description of damage done to a girl in a car crash.
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The new Failure album that came out of that excruciating time, Location Lost, is the eccentric, gorgeous sound of the band working through that crisis.
Adjective
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Katherine Guaramaco described the experience as one of the most intense of her life.
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The president highlighted the military operation in Iran that has proven deeply unpopular, and an immigration agenda that has provoked intense backlash.
Cite this Entry
“Torturous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torturous. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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