1
as in agony
a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness
the released soldiers gave interviews trying to explain to civilians the torment that prisoners of war experience
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
was in torment for weeks after he broke up with his girlfriend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to plague
to cause persistent suffering to
he was tormented by nightmares about the accident
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of torment
Carolyn Kellogg, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
The crew arrives only to find the hellish torments that have plagued Captain Kilpack and the first crew that disappeared for seven years.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Andy Jones, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
Chaisson tormented him all practice, starting with a clean win in 1-on-1 pass rush, then two sacks over a four-play span in team periods.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for torment
Noun
The physical evidence strongly suggested that rather than hiking across a blazing desert after enduring weeks of torment, Aimee had gotten out of a car and walked a short distance to be discovered.
—Carolyn Kellogg, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
The crew arrives only to find the hellish torments that have plagued Captain Kilpack and the first crew that disappeared for seven years.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Verb
This isn’t a youngster dribbling down blind alleys to try to impress; this is a winger tormenting defenders with trickery, pace and purpose.
—Andy Jones, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
Chaisson tormented him all practice, starting with a clean win in 1-on-1 pass rush, then two sacks over a four-play span in team periods.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for torment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torment
Noun
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For many, the relationship with tequila ended in their early 20s with promises made to some dormitory deity — often made of porcelain — to end a miserable night’s agony.—
Todd Harmonson,
Oc Register,
4 Aug. 2025
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My wing-scarfing strategy was to plow through as many as possible before the agony set in, then survive the remainder without committing the day-ruining error of touching my eyes.—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Attorneys leading the cases say the app’s failure to protect sensitive data has caused emotional distress, harassment and potential identity theft for users, and could have catastrophic consequences for the company.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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Crew members searched the area where the vessel was seen and continued looking for signs of distress, officials said.—
Paloma Chavez
August 19,
Sacbee.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The creatures are usually found hanging from phones or handbags—tiny demons haunting our accessories—or clutched as a kind of pet.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
20 Aug. 2025
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In a world of student loans and ever-increasing housing costs, the notion of devoting all of your time to obsessing over the meaning of nineteenth-century poetry does indeed feel like more of a fantasy than witchcraft or demons.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Considering the supply chain disruptions that have plagued the retail industry since April 2, stores have a greater need for inventory while manufacturers have often found themselves with goods—particularly of the seasonal variety—that arrived too late and are no longer needed.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
28 Aug. 2025
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Anto, a Parisian cop of Corsican origin, swore as a child to his brother – killed in a vendetta – to break the cycle of vengeance that has plagued their family for generations.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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That led them to make major investments in institutions and strategic doctrines that could prevent nightmare scenarios.—
HENRY FARRELL,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
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Remember, the top three teams will qualify for the 2026 CCC. Savarese, who directed the Portland Timbers to a pair of MLS Cup finals (2018, 2021), felt LA still could salvage a nightmare regular season.—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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By stimulating the tissues under the skin, PEMF therapy helps to alleviate the pain and stiffness associated with prolonged sitting.—
Michelle Stansbury,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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Empathy and clear communication go a long way, especially in the realm of pain management.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Aggressive lending even allowed the housing market to brush off the 9/11 terror attacks and the dot-com stock crash as the 2000s began.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
18 Aug. 2025
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The diagnosis is essentially a long list of separate but simultaneous developments that collectively upset the relatively simple balance of terror that stabilized the late Cold War.—
Andreas Kluth,
Twin Cities,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Foucault, a gay man who died of AIDS, was hardly unaware that people are sometimes persecuted and even killed for their sexuality.—
Michael Robbins,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
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Open Doors is a global organization that supports and speaks up for Christians persecuted for their faith.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Torment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torment. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
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