Synonyms of torment

torment 1 of 2

noun

ˈtȯr-ˌment 

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

• agony
• nightmare
• torture
• misery
• horror
• murder
• hell
• curse
• ordeal
• tragedy
• misfortune
• Gehenna
• calamity
• cross
• tribulation
• trial
• affliction
• thorn
• drag
• calvary
• gall
• downer
• bummer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• heaven
• pleasure
• joy
• delight
• recreation
• fun
• entertainment
• diversion
• paradise
• riot
• picnic
• lark

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

• distress
• agony
• pain
• misery
• anguish
• torture
• discomfort
• tribulation
• woe
• hurt
• excruciation
• sorrow
• pang
• sadness
• travail
• rack
• heartbreak
• hardship
• affliction
• strait(s)
• difficulty
• trouble
• unhappiness
• heartache
• danger
• ache
• crucible
• cross
• emergency
• joylessness
• soreness
• trial
• jeopardy
• twinge
• stitch
• pinch
• rigor
• smarting
• throe
• asperity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• consolation
• comfort
• solace
• relief
• ease
• alleviation
• peace
• security
• assuagement
• well-being

3

as in demon

a source of persistent emotional distress

insomnia that was caused by a host of nighttime torments

Synonyms & Similar Words

• demon
• terror
• affliction
• hang-up
• bête noire
• bugaboo
• ogre
• bugbear
• bogey
• hobgoblin

torment

2 of 2

verb

tȯr-ˈment 

as in to plague

to cause persistent suffering to

he was tormented by nightmares about the accident

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plague
• persecute
• afflict
• torture
• anguish
• curse
• besiege
• attack
• bother
• beset
• bedevil
• agonize
• harrow
• sting
• trouble
• excruciate
• rack
• distress
• annoy
• pain
• discomfort
• strike
• harass
• aggravate
• disturb
• pursue
• assail
• irritate
• overwhelm
• dog
• oppress
• exasperate
• hurt
• worry
• vex
• hound
• molest
• grieve
• pester
• disquiet
• stress
• badger
• ride
• irk
• upset
• agitate
• discompose
• rile
• try
• smite
• bug
• harry
• tyrannize
• victimize
• put out
• stab
• chafe
• fluster
• perturb
• strain
• gripe
• grate
• gall
• pique
• overpower
• crush
• prick
• nettle
• rasp
• wring
• peeve
• martyr
• get
• hagride
• pang
• smart

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• help
• aid
• assist
• relieve
• abet
• release
• deliver
• comfort
• soothe
• content
• quiet
• console
• reprieve
• solace
• succor

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

Recent Examples of torment

Noun

The sense that Omaha might be underestimated, even by the people who live there, is a source of both pride and torment for Utterback. — Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 8 June 2026

Protestant ethics, however, are not violated without the torment of guilt or the pleasure of self-destruction; never good enough, never bad enough. — Erika Landström, Artforum, 2 June 2026

Verb

Vava, Brazil vs Sweden, 1958 (second goal) Garrincha torments Sweden left-back Sven Axbom — not for the first time — and Vava is on hand to complete a carbon copy of his first goal. — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026

But your dad doesn’t need to be a celeb to enjoy the simple pleasures of tormenting him. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 9 July 2026