Definition of TORMENT

Choose the Right Synonym for torment

Verb

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

In fact, the existential horror of the Medium Place (boredom and a lack of cocaine) is treated with much more gravity than the possibility of eternal physical torment. — Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, "The (secular) gospel according to The Good Place," 5 Dec. 2018 In fact, the existential horror of the Medium Place (boredom and a lack of cocaine) is treated with much more gravity than the possibility of eternal physical torment. — Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, "The (secular) gospel according to The Good Place," 5 Dec. 2018 By any measure, Hell is a cruel and oppressive concept: a place where sinners suffer unspeakable torments for all eternity for sins committed during their mortal lives. — Scott G. Bruce, WSJ, "Do We Still Need to Believe in Hell?," 13 Sep. 2018 Once again Kevin Systrom goes onstage somewhere and is not forced to answer exactly what led to his departure at Instagram, to my everlasting torment. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "Facebook has a growing morale problem," 15 Nov. 2018 Others this week and this morning have spoken to the depths of his torment and the depths of his courage there in the cells of Hanoi when day after day, year after year that youthful iron was tempered into steel. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "Read the Full Transcript of Barack Obama's Speech at John McCain's Funeral," 1 Sep. 2018 Holm himself is afflicted by a personal torment tied to the reason he’s been taken off patrol duty, which is gradually revealed. — Soren Andersen, The Seattle Times, "‘The Guilty’: Abduction drama focuses on one cop — and one riveting performance," 16 Oct. 2018 For many, including this reporter, the damn thing needed to remain closed, lest we all be subjected to some kind of horrifying, world-ending torment. — Shoshana Wodinsky, The Verge, "The black mystery sarcophagus was opened, and now people want to drink its ‘bone juice’," 20 July 2018 In fact, the existential horror of the Medium Place (boredom and a lack of cocaine) is treated with much more gravity than the possibility of eternal physical torment. — Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, "The (secular) gospel according to The Good Place," 27 Sep. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

But recently, nobody has been as tormented as the Chargers, who have cycled through six kickers in the past two seasons alone. — Andrew Beaton, WSJ, "Why NFL Teams Leave the Playoffs Kicking and Screaming," 11 Jan. 2019 Williams was a tattered soul, a gay man tormented by a series of tempestuous relationships, a constant uphill battle against alcoholism, and a lifelong addiction to prescription painkillers. — Adrienne Westenfeld, Town & Country, "T&C Family Album: Tennessee Williams," 3 Apr. 2014 Cow him with a Congressional resolution censoring him for this or that statement and then tormenting him into submission with subpoenas and multiple investigations? — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "A Check on Trump? Good Luck," 5 Nov. 2018 There are still days when those questions torment me. — Elissa Strauss, Glamour, "The Great Frozen Embryo Debate," 11 Oct. 2018 Spencer becomes extremely strong and faces down the bully who has been tormenting him. — Charles Stockdale And John Harrington, USA TODAY, "The 24 most forgettable superheroes in movies," 5 July 2018 After the sizzling sunrays tormented us with its heat, the clouds opened up for a massive downpour. — Bianca Gracie, Billboard, "Travis Scott Transforms His Headlining Governors Ball Set Into a Personal Rage Fest," 3 June 2018 Sancia is more tormented and more streetwise than any hobbit, and Clef builds a rapport with her, unlike Bilbo’s Ring. — Tom Shippey, WSJ, "Science Fiction: A Bit of Magic Isn’t Always Enough," 12 Oct. 2018 The part of this service that feels truly detoxifying is the simple feat of being in a room without your device for a full 80 minutes, no ambient phone vibrations tormenting you from inside of your bag. — Carrie Battan, Harper's BAZAAR, "Escaping the Seduction of Your Smartphone," 26 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'torment.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.