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
After another torturous 30 minutes, Wake came into view.
—
Paul Glenshaw, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2024
The Supreme Court decision has spared us these torturous questions, and allows emergency medicine providers to focus on providing standard, lifesaving health care.
—Pauline Wiltz, Scientific American, 27 June 2024
And unlike pinchy ballet flats or stilt-like stilettos that can feel torturous to walk in, the Traktori has a foam midsole for comfort and a platform sole with deep lugs made for all terrains.
—Erin Bunch, SELF, 26 June 2024
By David Sims The Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Annie Baker has long been a master of silence; her work delights in long, sometimes torturous pauses, letting audiences fill in emotional gaps themselves.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for torturous 
Paul Glenshaw, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2024
The Supreme Court decision has spared us these torturous questions, and allows emergency medicine providers to focus on providing standard, lifesaving health care.
—Pauline Wiltz, Scientific American, 27 June 2024
And unlike pinchy ballet flats or stilt-like stilettos that can feel torturous to walk in, the Traktori has a foam midsole for comfort and a platform sole with deep lugs made for all terrains.
—Erin Bunch, SELF, 26 June 2024
By David Sims The Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Annie Baker has long been a master of silence; her work delights in long, sometimes torturous pauses, letting audiences fill in emotional gaps themselves.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for torturous
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.
Dictionary Entries Near torturous
Cite this Entry
“Torturous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torturous. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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