Definition of torturous
1a : very unpleasant or painful a torturous day torturous self-doubtsb : causing torture torturous inquisitions
2 : painfully difficult or slow the torturous course of the negotiations
torturously
adverbFrom the M-W Editors
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 of torturous from the Web
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Over 4,200 ultra-marathoners applied to run in this 44th annual race over a torturous course that includes 18,000 feet of ascent and 23,000 feet of descent.
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A torturous octopus-tentacle perm machine was donated by screen legend Veronica Lake’s hairdresser, who truly had a brush with fame.
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Those tumultuous four days in April served as a microcosm of an often torturous 18-year pursuit of a first major championship.
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This may become too torturous, however, so eat at will.
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Attorneys with the state and victim’ advocates disparaged Arthur as a con man who used perpetual litigation — after a pro bono legal team took his case — to avoid the death sentence for years, causing torturous delays for Wicker’s remaining family.
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From there, the outer sample bag, containing traces of moon dust, took a long and torturous path before it was mistakenly put out to public auction and scooped up by a suburban Chicago lawyer for $995.
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The state has followed a torturous legal path to get Phoenix built.
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Those suffering from both addiction and HIV complications face a torturous dead end.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'torturous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of torturous
15th century
TORTUROUS Defined for English Language Learners
torturous
playDefinition of torturous for English Language Learners
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: causing great pain or suffering
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