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 of torture

Noun

• nightmare
• agony
• misery
• torment
• horror
• murder

Verb

• plague
• persecute
• afflict
• torment
• attack

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

Amnesty said Mohammadi denied the charges and retracted his confessions in court, saying they were extracted under torture. —Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026

By then, Vokietaitis’ yips had taken on a life of their own and as the Cougars were boring in to foul him intentionally and place him back on that torture chamber that was thinly disguised as a free-throw line, Miller signaled for the timeout to thwart the season's first Hack-a-Matas. —Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026

Verb

Mark, who has seen his wife tortured by TV writers (or at least one in particular), doesn’t think Val owes writers anything. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026

In response, the regime killed dozens, and arrested and tortured many more. —Azadeh Moaveni, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026

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

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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