Thesaurus

torment

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of 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 of torment

agony, Gehenna, hell, horror, misery, murder, nightmare, torture

Words Related to torment

affliction, calvary, cross, curse, ordeal, trial, tribulation

calamity, misfortune, tragedy

bummer, downer, drag

Near Antonyms of torment

delight, diversion, entertainment, fun, joy, pleasure, recreation

lark, picnic, riot

Antonyms of torment

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 of torment

affliction, agony, anguish, distress, excruciation, hurt, misery, pain, rack, strait(s), torture, travail, tribulation, woe

Words Related to torment

cross, crucible, trial

heartache, heartbreak, joylessness, sadness, sorrow, unhappiness

emergency, pinch

asperity, difficulty, hardship, rigor

ache, pang, smarting, soreness, stitch, throe, twinge

danger, jeopardy, trouble

Near Antonyms of torment

comfort, consolation, solace

alleviation, assuagement, ease, relief

peace, security

3 a source of persistent emotional distress

insomnia that was caused by a host of nighttime torments

Synonyms of torment

affliction, demon (or daemon), hang-up, terror

Words Related to torment

bête noire, bogey (also bogie), bugaboo, bugbear, hobgoblin, ogre

torment

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of torment

to cause persistent suffering to

he was tormented by nightmares about the accident

Synonyms of torment

afflict, agonize, anguish, bedevil, beset, besiege, curse, excruciate, harrow, persecute, plague, rack, torture

Words Related to torment

badger, dog, hound, pursue, ride

aggravate, agitate, annoy, bother, bug, chafe, distress, disturb, exasperate, gall, get, grate, gripe, hagride, harass, harry, irk, irritate, molest, nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put out, rasp, rile, vex

discomfort, discompose, disquiet, fluster, grieve, perturb, strain, stress, trouble, try, upset, worry

crush, oppress, overpower, overwhelm, smite, strike, tyrannize, victimize

hurt, pain, pang, prick, smart, stab, sting, wring

Near Antonyms of torment

abet, aid, assist, help

deliver, release, relieve, reprieve

comfort, console, content, quiet, solace, soothe, succor

Synonym Discussion of torment

afflict, try, torment, torture, rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear. 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

try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

- children often try their parents' patience

torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

- a horse tormented by flies

torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

- tortured by a sense of guilt

rack stresses straining or wrenching.

- a body racked by pain

Learn More about torment

See words that rhyme with torment Dictionary: Definition of torment Spanish Central: Translation of torment Nglish: Translation of torment for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of torment for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up torment? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

apposite

highly pertinent or appropriate