variants
also tormenters
as in torturers
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tormentors
If the tormenters keep it up, grackles do eventually move.
—
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 18 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
The mind could wander briefly about the Giants riding a two-game winning streak into a Thursday Night Football matchup with the Eagles, equipped to knock off their tormentors who suddenly look vulnerable.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
There appears to be no limit to his sensitivity or his determination to humble his tormentors.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
But can the Yankees really stare down their tormentors and finally best Houston in a playoff format?
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Brown-Trickey was eventually suspended for standing up to her tormentors, while her white aggressors went unpunished.
—Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Jeni Jones said the fire emotionally scarred her daughter, who had to attend the same school as her tormenters.
—Robert Anglen, AZCentral.com, 1 July 2025
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 18 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
The mind could wander briefly about the Giants riding a two-game winning streak into a Thursday Night Football matchup with the Eagles, equipped to knock off their tormentors who suddenly look vulnerable.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
There appears to be no limit to his sensitivity or his determination to humble his tormentors.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
But can the Yankees really stare down their tormentors and finally best Houston in a playoff format?
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Brown-Trickey was eventually suspended for standing up to her tormentors, while her white aggressors went unpunished.
—Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Jeni Jones said the fire emotionally scarred her daughter, who had to attend the same school as her tormenters.
—Robert Anglen, AZCentral.com, 1 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tormentors
Noun
-
The prisoners got out and the saw the torturers.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Jan. 2026
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As my experience showed, a heavy reliance on physical abuse makes for proficient torturers, not skilled interrogators.—
Elizabeth Tsurkov,
The Atlantic,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Rashada’s recruitment played out in cryptic Twitter teases from a booster, Hugh Hathcock, and behind the scenes in text messages with eyeball emojis.—
Matt Baker,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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As winter lingers and spring teases, Stewart reveals how home gardeners can make the most of this in-between moment.—
Maddie Topliff,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Moreover, when harassers disproportionately target women, people of color and LGBTQ officials, entire communities are systematically excluded from participation in self-governance.—
Ernestine Nettles,
Mercury News,
22 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Shakespeare humanizes the Elizabethan stage stereotype of the villainous Jew by giving Shylock ample reason for wanting to get back at his Christian persecutors.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Amish are part of the wider Anabaptist movement, which puts heavy emphasis on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, containing some of his most radical and counter-cultural sayings — to love enemies, live simply, bless persecutors, turn the other cheek and to endure sufferings joyfully.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Executive visibility now cuts both ways Each social media post, keynote address, podcast appearance, and earnings call involving your CEO provides potential training data for attackers.—
James Richardson,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
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Villa got into a groove, emboldened by attackers in rhythm and few fitness concerns.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tormentors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tormentors. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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