1
: the act of causing severe physical pain as a form of punishment or as a way to force someone to do or say something
the torture of prisoners
a torture chamber/device
2
: something that causes mental or physical suffering : a very painful or unpleasant experience
Waiting is just torture for me.
Listening to him can be torture.
tortures; tortured; torturing
1
: to cause (someone) to experience severe physical pain especially as a form of punishment or to force that person to do or say something
The report revealed that prisoners had been repeatedly tortured.
2
: to cause (someone) to feel very worried, unhappy, etc.
Don't torture yourself over the mistake.
Cite this Entry
“Torture.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/torture. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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