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
Paul invited them in, but that simple act led to years of torment. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025 For those who have seen family members battle the torment of cancer, the memories may last a lifetime. Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
And when Miami went to a zone, Ty Jerome, Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland tormented the Heat, combining for 85 points. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025 Baldoni later accused Lively of tormenting him, his family and colleagues in a lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York in January. Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for torment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torment
Noun
  • In video of the attack released by police at the time, she can be heard screaming in agony.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 9 May 2025
  • Dropping dramatically to the floor, Busquets writhed in agony and Motta was duly sent off.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Recorded woodpecker distress calls or raptor calls can also repel the birds.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • The 17-year-old’s lawsuit seeks more than $250,000 in damages and demands a jury trial on claims of negligent infliction of emotional distress, state and federal RICO violations and more.
    Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • In that spirit, here are 11 essential tips to sharpen your skills, take the edge of the early slog, and unlock your full potential while going medieval on demons.
    Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • Angie is constantly fighting her many other demons.
    Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Another equipment outage struck air traffic controllers for Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday morning, briefly disrupting some inbound flights and further highlighting the ongoing technology issues plaguing the airport.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 12 May 2025
  • Flanagan boys track coach Jessica Carter said the inclement weather which plagued the meet the entire weekend and forced the postponement of the 3A meet until Saturday posed problems for her boys team.
    Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • This harrowing, 35mm-shot story of pubescent boys tormenting each other at a water polo summer camp doubles as a coming-of-age drama and an adolescent, acne-scarred body-horror nightmare.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 May 2025
  • The reader is brought into the heart of Israel’s nightmare.
    Daniel Foster, National Review, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Symptoms like inflammation, joint pain, and stiffness are an inevitable part of aging.
    Health, Health, 20 May 2025
  • Contributor Aging often comes with unwelcome changes, like joint stiffness, nerve pain, sleepless nights, and slowed recovery.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • If that’s true, then the rate of growth of AI startups should be striking terror into corporate board rooms around the world.
    Andrew Binns, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • Set against the backdrop of Imperial Russia’s criminal underworld and revolutionary ferment, the film explores the making of the bloody dictator who would reshape the 20th century through terror, war and ideology — and the largest bank heist in Russian history, according to the logline.
    Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Some of the journalists who were terminated on Thursday were from countries with repressive governments that persecute journalists for independent reporting, Mr. Abramowitz said in the email to employees on Thursday.
    Minho Kim, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • According to tradition, Peter traveled to Rome to spread the Christian message and was martyred there during the reign of the Emperor Nero, around 64 A.D., as Christians were being persecuted.
    Vanessa Gera, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Torment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torment. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on torment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!