torture

1 of 2

noun

tor·​ture ˈtȯr-chər 

1

: the infliction of intense pain (as from burning, crushing, or wounding) to punish, coerce, or afford sadistic pleasure

2

a

: something that causes agony or pain

b

: anguish of body or mind : agony

3

: distortion or overrefinement of a meaning or an argument : straining

torture

2 of 2

verb

tortured; torturing

ˈtȯrch-riŋ,

ˈtȯr-chə- 

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

torturer

ˈtȯr-chər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• agony
• Gehenna
• hell
• horror
• misery
• murder
• nightmare
• torment

Verb

• afflict
• agonize
• anguish
• bedevil
• beset
• besiege
• curse
• excruciate
• harrow
• persecute
• plague
• rack
• torment

Choose the Right Synonym for torture

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 torture in a Sentence

Noun

Waiting is just torture for me.

Listening to him can be torture.

Verb

The report revealed that prisoners had been repeatedly tortured.

Don't torture yourself over the mistake.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Payton faces one charge each of torture and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025

The story said that Tidwell's testimony was also used in the sentencing of two other men: Calvin Stovall was sentenced to life in prison in 2008 on federal marijuana-trafficking charges, and Darrell Walker was sentenced to 24 years for participating in Johnson's torture and slaying. —Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 28 Apr. 2025

Verb

The Court's ruling requires DHS to provide basic procedural protections so that persons are not secretly removed to a country where they may be persecuted or tortured. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025

Michael Sang Correa was charged with torturing five men believed to be opponents of Yahya Jammeh following an unsuccessful plot to remove him from power in 2006. —Colleen Slevin, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French, from Old French, from Late Latin tortura, from Latin tortus, past participle of torquēre to twist; probably akin to Old High German drāhsil turner, Greek atraktos spindle

First Known Use

Noun

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing torture

• self-torture

Rhymes for torture

• rapporteur

Kids Definition

torture

1 of 2 noun

tor·​ture ˈtȯr-chər 

1

: distress of body or mind

2

: the causing of great pain especially to punish or to obtain a confession

torture

2 of 2 verb

tortured; torturing ˈtȯrch-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to cause great suffering to

2

: to punish or force someone to do or say something by causing great pain

torturer

ˈtȯr-chər-ər 

noun

Etymology

Noun

from French torture "causing of intense pain or agony," from Latin tortura "act of twisting," from earlier tortus, past participle of torquēre "to twist" — related to distort, extort, retort