torture

1 of 2

noun

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

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 noun
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Seeing how she was broken down and dehumanized through torture and isolation, definitely reflected the lengths humans will go to in order to survive. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 10 July 2025 Colleagues and former patients' families expressed concern for Soliman's safety if deported back to Egypt, citing fears of persecution and torture. Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 9 July 2025
Verb
Jon Burge extracted a false confession from Wilson by beating him and torturing him with electrical shocks, according to Wilson’s lawsuit. Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025 Some were arrested, some allegedly tortured, others beaten up, even killed, according to Azeri media. Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for torture

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of torture was in 1540

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Torture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torture. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

torture

1 of 2 noun
tor·​ture ˈtȯr-chər How to pronounce torture (audio)
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 How to pronounce torture (audio)
1
: to cause great suffering to
2
: to punish or force someone to do or say something by causing great pain
torturer 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

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