torturous

adjective

tor·​tur·​ous ˈtȯr-chə-rəs 

ˈtȯrch-

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

• painful
• harsh
• cruel

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

Within the film’s compact running time, writer-director Ben Hania traces the fraught and torturous hours of January 29, 2024, when Palestine Red Crescent volunteers in the West Bank tried to calm a terrified 6-year-old girl and get an ambulance to her in Gaza. —Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025

From the almost humorous to the truly torturous, being plunked into unknown wilderness in total isolation—which is what happens on Alone—results in all manner of strange mental phenomenon. —Woniya Thibeault, Outside, 26 Aug. 2025

But nitrogen executions are particularly torturous to not only the person sentenced to die, but also everyone who have to witness them, Hood said. —Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2025

Season 1 ended January 12 with cartel boss Gallino (Garcia) sparing Tommy Norris (Thornton) from a torturous end. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Kids Definition

torturous

adjective

tor·​tur·​ous ˈtȯrch-(ə-)rəs 

: causing great pain

torturously adverb