torment 1 of 2

torment

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word torment different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of torment are afflict, rack, torture, and try. While all these words mean "to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear," torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

a horse tormented by flies

Where would afflict be a reasonable alternative to torment?

While the synonyms afflict and torment are close in meaning, afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.

ills that afflict the elderly

When could rack be used to replace torment?

The words rack and torment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rack stresses straining or wrenching.

a body racked by pain

When is torture a more appropriate choice than torment?

In some situations, the words torture and torment are roughly equivalent. However, torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

tortured by a sense of guilt

When might try be a better fit than torment?

While in some cases nearly identical to torment, try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

children often try their parents' patience

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of torment
Noun
The Brewers were already familiar with Alonso’s torment. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2025 Maxwell's course to help give Trump his chance to engage in this torment is simple. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
Then Ingvartsen tormented the Quakes in another way, launching a long ball to a star striker Anders Dreyer. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2025 Another idea stemmed from seeing how his baby sister Aleen was being tormented by mosquitos. Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for torment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torment
Noun
  • Hank, having already experienced life-changing failure, is also able to absorb beatings that would destroy most people, endure the agony, and leap back into action.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
  • The buddy story ended in agony when it was revealed that Edwards was on the list and complicit in the ambush plot.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Another tool will notify parents if the system detects their teen is experiencing acute distress.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
  • What To Know Footage clearly showed how Sczczerek had grabbed the hat handed to the boy and squirreled it away in his wife's purse, despite the obvious distress of the child.
    Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are returning as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren who are trying to vanquish a demon from a family’s home.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The inevitable showdown between the demon, which manifests in various forms during the film, is wild and exhausting, and gives Wilson and Farmiga, as consistent and excellent as always throughout, a powerful performative and emotional last stand.
    Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • His push to deploy federal forces to cities plagued by crime and to pursue mid-decade redistricting has drawn sharp resistance.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2025
  • The mission, the fourth of 2025, would also be Starship's first flight since May 27 amid a year plagued by explosive demises for the vehicle.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Instead, the interview was a PR nightmare that forced Andrew to step back from his public royal duties.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Sep. 2025
  • At 6 feet and blessed with great athletic ability, Moore was a matchup nightmare.
    Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • There is little reason to assume that negotiations won’t continue after the court’s decision, because there are still myriad ways that the government can inflict pain on the university.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The goal of treatment is to care for the small wound, manage any pain, and avoid potential infection.
    Carrie Madormo, Health, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • London — Large crowds of people protesting the British government’s decision to ban the activist group Palestine Action gathered in London’s Parliament Square on Saturday, in a show of continuing support since it was designated as a terror organization in July.
    Kara Fox, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
  • For Bear, the new arrangement is great about 99 percent of the time… the only drawback is that Nikki occasionally snaps back into her old self and screams in utter terror for a few seconds, before resuming the love-bombing.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The safest course would be to force out the Americans, persecute the Sunnis, and then let the Shiite factions bicker forever.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
  • His deportation to El Salvador violated a 2019 court order that protected him from being deported to his home country because of concerns that he’d be persecuted by violent gangs.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Torment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torment. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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