torment

1 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 agony, Gehenna, horror, misery, murder, nightmare, hell, tortureRelated Words affliction, calvary, cross, curse, ordeal, trial, tribulation; calamity, misfortune, tragedy; gall, thorn; bummer, downer, dragNear Antonyms delight, diversion, entertainment, fun, joy, pleasure, recreation; lark, picnic, riotAntonyms heaven, paradise

2 a state of great suffering of body or mind was in torment for weeks after he broke up with his girlfriend Synonyms affliction, agony, anguish, excruciation, hurt, misery, pain, rack, strait(s), distress, torture, travail, tribulation, woeRelated Words discomfort; cross, crucible, trial; heartache, heartbreak, joylessness, sadness, sorrow, unhappiness; emergency, pinch; asperity, difficulty, hardship, rigor; ache, pang, smarting, soreness, stitch, throe, twinge; danger, jeopardy, troubleNear Antonyms comfort, consolation, solace; alleviation, assuagement, ease, relief; peace, security; well-being

3 a source of persistent emotional distress insomnia that was caused by a host of nighttime torments Synonyms affliction, hang-up, terror, demonRelated Words bête noire, bogey (also bogie or bogy), bugaboo, bugbear, hobgoblin, ogre