torture

noun
tor·​ture | \ ˈtȯr-chər How to pronounce torture (audio) \

Definition of torture

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the infliction of intense pain (as from burning, crushing, or wounding) to punish, coerce, or afford sadistic pleasure
2a : 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

verb
tortured; torturing\ ˈtȯrch-​riŋ How to pronounce torture (audio) , ˈtȯr-​chə-​ \

Definition of torture (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from torture

Verb

torturer \ ˈtȯr-​chər-​ər How to pronounce torture (audio) \ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for torture

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Noun

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Choose the Right Synonym for torture

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 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 Andriy Kostin told The Associated Press on the sidelines of a security conference in Warsaw that he had just been notified of four bodies found with signs of possible torture. Adam Schreck, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Oct. 2022 Andriy Kostin told The Associated Press on the sidelines of a security conference in Warsaw that he had just been notified of four bodies found with signs of possible torture. Adam Schreck, ajc, 5 Oct. 2022 There are grimmer cellars, where Russian troops interrogate, torture, tie up, and rape. Peter Pomerantsev, Time, 4 Oct. 2022 Race is America is a maze, a trick, a prolonged psychological torture. Molly Mcardle, Men's Health, 3 Oct. 2022 Wilson was detained on Sept. 25 after a warrant was issued for her arrest; she is charged with two counts of felony child torture. Chris Harris, Peoplemag, 27 Sep. 2022 In a new documentary released last month in the UK, Kenyan and British historians describe how Britain secretly used torture against prisoners in Mau Mau detention camps during the anti-colonial uprising movement in the 1950s. Quartz, 26 Sep. 2022 Missionaries were saying that torture by the British was going on. Peter Bergen, CNN, 25 Sep. 2022 Protestors have taken to the streets to voice their discontent with the Islamic Republic after the 22-year-old woman died while in police custody following reports of severe beatings and torture. Caitlin Mcfall, Fox News, 24 Sep. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Only one person can torture Wednesday's deviant brother and that's Wednesday herself. Chaise Sanders, Country Living, 5 Sep. 2022 For example, why were American women encouraged to torture themselves with cage-like corsets, don yards of cumbersome cloth and carry around a heavy protuberance called a bustle? John Kelly, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2022 The researchers believe that these chemical changes all come together and cause octopuses to torture themselves. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 19 May 2022 In a suburb of Stockholm in 1982, 12-year-old Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant) dreams of revenge against the bullies who torture him at school. Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 5 May 2022 And now whoever is maniacal enough to torture us controls the stereo. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 3 Aug. 2022 Who would abduct him, torture him for days and toss him onto a rubbish tip? Tom Nolan, WSJ, 27 May 2022 For years, scientists have wondered why octopuses torture themselves after mating. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 19 May 2022 That’s his trainer, Julian Bah, who Ellis says loves to torture him. Milan Polk, Men's Health, 17 May 2022 See More

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

First Known Use of torture

Noun

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for torture

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

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Time Traveler for torture

Time Traveler

The first known use of torture was in 1540

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Dictionary Entries Near torture

torturable

torture

torturedly

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Statistics for torture

Last Updated

8 Oct 2022

Cite this Entry

“Torture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torture. Accessed 8 Oct. 2022.

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More Definitions for torture

torture

noun
tor·​ture | \ ˈtȯr-chər How to pronounce torture (audio) \

Kids Definition of torture

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the act of causing great pain especially to punish or to obtain a confession
2 : distress of body or mind Waiting is just torture for me.

torture

verb
tortured; torturing

Kids Definition of torture (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to punish or force someone to do or say something by causing great pain
2 : to cause great suffering to

Other Words from torture

torturer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on torture

Nglish: Translation of torture for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of torture for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about torture

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