waterboarding

wa·ter·board·ing | \ ˈwȯ-tər-ˌbȯr-diŋ

How to pronounce waterboarding (audio)

, ˈwä- \

Definition of waterboarding

: an interrogation technique usually regarded as a form of torture in which water is forced into a detainee's mouth and nose so as to induce the sensation of drowning

Examples of waterboarding in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Defense lawyers say the defendants were tortured using waterboarding and other interrogation methods that President Barack Obama banned in 2009. — New York Times, "Bracing for a Busy Year at Guantánamo’s War Court," 10 Jan. 2020 He was subjected to the CIA's harshest interrogation methods, including waterboarding. — CBS News, "Judge sets trial for men charged in 9/11 attacks," 30 Aug. 2019 In 2009, in his first days in office, President Barack Obama signed Executive Order 13491, barring federal agents from using waterboarding and similar torture while gathering intelligence. — Ken Armstrong, ProPublica, "Why Are Cops Around the World Using This Outlandish Mind-Reading Tool?," 8 Dec. 2019 Brace yourself for waterboarding and other tools of torture, wielded in grainy gloom. — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, "The Art of the Awkward Silence in “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”," 15 Nov. 2019 The newspaper reports none of the statements CIA agents got out of Mohammed from 2002 to 2006, following alleged torture such as waterboarding and sleep deprivation, could be used in court. — Greg Norman | Fox News, Fox News, "Guantanamo Bay 9/11 confessions obtained by FBI should not be admissible in court, lawyers claim," 30 July 2019 Haspel delivered an order from her superior to other agency officials to destroy videotapes of the interrogations, including the waterboarding of one of the top Qaeda operatives. — Washington Post, BostonGlobe.com, "Second Democrat announces support for CIA nominee Haspel," 12 May 2018 McCain has frequently spoken out against waterboarding and other interrogation practices. — Bradford Betz, Fox News, "McCain urges Senate colleagues to reject Trump CIA pick Haspel," 10 May 2018 McCain was tortured as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War and was a vocal opponent after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, of waterboarding, which is now banned as an interrogation practice. — Amber Phillips, Washington Post, "John McCain is poking Trump where it hurts this week," 10 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'waterboarding.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

22 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Waterboarding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waterboarding. Accessed 16 Feb. 2020.

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