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

Season 2 reveals the main characters were locked up in a torturous adult rehabilitation center, but have now been allowed to re-enroll at Godolkin University. —Zoe Kaplan, People.com, 9 Aug. 2025

Other detainees have also called the conditions torturous, saying the facility is full of mosquitoes and where fluorescent lights shine bright on them at all times. —Josh Feldman, NBC news, 23 July 2025

How to make your hair look longer Trying to grow your hair fast can feel torturous, with no one walking the same path to longer lengths. —Ana Morales, Vogue, 23 July 2025

The prospect of trying to cut open a stubborn 5-4-1 block in the Orlando heat could have become torturous quite quickly. —Liam Tharme, New York Times, 28 June 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