variants
also tormenter
as in tease
a person who causes repeated emotional pain, distress, or annoyance to another
shocked by the news that his chief tormentor from elementary school had written a book about the dangers of bullying
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 tormentor
If the tormenters keep it up, grackles do eventually move.
—
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
As a child, Heathcliff’s main tormenter is Cathy’s brother, Hindley, who physically abuses Heathcliff and forces him to work in the stables as a servant.
—Becky Little, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
And her tormentors are all abruptly, painfully departing the scene or, at the very least, becoming ensnared in one humiliation after another.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
Jeffrey Tambor is the corrupt Mayor of Whoville and the Grinch’s lifelong tormenter, Augustus May Who, who sets his hatred of Christmas in motion.
—Danny Horn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tormentor
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
As a child, Heathcliff’s main tormenter is Cathy’s brother, Hindley, who physically abuses Heathcliff and forces him to work in the stables as a servant.
—Becky Little, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
And her tormentors are all abruptly, painfully departing the scene or, at the very least, becoming ensnared in one humiliation after another.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
Jeffrey Tambor is the corrupt Mayor of Whoville and the Grinch’s lifelong tormenter, Augustus May Who, who sets his hatred of Christmas in motion.
—Danny Horn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tormentor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tormentor
Noun
-
These teases run counter to the messaging Grande has been putting out since last year about not doing another album anytime soon.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
-
As Shrinking season three comes to a close, the cast and creatives behind the hit Apple TV comedy united at PaleyFest LA to celebrate the finale and give a tease as to what’s coming next.—
Alex Cramer,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Incredibly, one of Schiller's torturers, Jorge Delgado - the Sun Gym member who had first told Lugo about Schiller and his millions - ended up helping the federal government make their case.—
Troy Roberts,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
His torturers shattered his hands and paraded him around the stadium, taunting him to try to play his guitar.—
Christina Hioureas,
Rolling Stone,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Of course, that conservative approach is often wrecked by QB harassers such as Lawrence and Williams, part of a defense that ranked seventh in the NFL in sacks.—
Eric Branch,
San Francisco Chronicle,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Instead, the lawsuit argued, law enforcement in the area where the harasser lived should have served the papers.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
His attacker fled the scene on foot.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The Canucks pulled goalie Nikita Tolopilo in favor of an extra attacker, but failed to score.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Third-graders would learn about the Road to Damascus, which tells the story of Paul’s transformation from an early persecutor of Christians into a follower.—
Heather Hollingsworth,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Third graders would learn about the Road to Damascus, which tells the story of Paul's transformation from an early persecutor of Christians into a follower.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tormentor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tormentor. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
