torturous
adjective
tor·tur·ous
ˈtȯrch-rəs 
ˈtȯr-chə-
1
a
: very unpleasant or painful
a torturous day
torturous self-doubts
b
: causing torture
torturous inquisitions
2
: painfully difficult or slow
the torturous course of the negotiations
torturously
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of torturous in a Sentence
relatives had to make the torturous decision to disconnect the patient's life-support system
the post-infection treatment for rabies was as notoriously torturous as the disease itself
Recent Examples on the Web
This torturous existence can last for several exceedingly miserable days before the end comes.
—
Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 3 Oct. 2023
But the stubborn Pharaoh continued his torturous ways.
—Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 17 Sep. 2023
The last, most torturous, step is to cool the pie for at least 30 minutes before digging in.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 30 July 2023
However, recently my mother died – after a sudden and torturous battle with cancer.
—Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Aug. 2023
However, recently my mother died — after a sudden and torturous battle with cancer.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2023
For villagers following the rescue efforts, the suspense was torturous.
—Salman Masood, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2023
This single field, just 160 acres of Kansas dirt, tells the story of a torturous wheat season.
—Mitch Smith, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2023
Subsequent stays in psychiatric hospitals, at a treatment center, and then with a foster family provided escape but also a torturous loss of autonomy.
—Jenny Bartoy, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Aug. 2023
See More
Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 3 Oct. 2023
But the stubborn Pharaoh continued his torturous ways.
—Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 17 Sep. 2023
The last, most torturous, step is to cool the pie for at least 30 minutes before digging in.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 30 July 2023
However, recently my mother died – after a sudden and torturous battle with cancer.
—Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Aug. 2023
However, recently my mother died — after a sudden and torturous battle with cancer.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2023
For villagers following the rescue efforts, the suspense was torturous.
—Salman Masood, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2023
This single field, just 160 acres of Kansas dirt, tells the story of a torturous wheat season.
—Mitch Smith, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2023
Subsequent stays in psychiatric hospitals, at a treatment center, and then with a foster family provided escape but also a torturous loss of autonomy.
—Jenny Bartoy, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'torturous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b
Time Traveler
The first known use of torturous was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near torturous
Cite this Entry
“Torturous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torturous. Accessed 3 Nov. 2023.
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