Synonyms of torture

torture 1 of 2

noun

ˈtȯr-chər 

1

as in nightmare

a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness

it's torture for me to see you so unhappy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• nightmare
• agony
• misery
• torment
• horror
• murder
• hell
• curse
• ordeal
• tragedy
• misfortune
• cross
• trial
• Gehenna
• tribulation
• calamity
• drag
• calvary
• affliction
• thorn
• gall
• downer
• bummer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasure
• heaven
• joy
• entertainment
• recreation
• fun
• diversion
• delight
• paradise
• riot
• picnic
• lark

2

as in agony

a state of great suffering of body or mind

spent an afternoon in torture waiting to hear whether her brother had made it home safely

Synonyms & Similar Words

• agony
• distress
• pain
• misery
• anguish
• torment
• discomfort
• tribulation
• hurt
• rack
• excruciation
• woe
• travail
• sorrow
• sadness
• strait(s)
• pang
• hardship
• heartbreak
• affliction
• difficulty
• emergency
• trouble
• danger
• cross
• unhappiness
• crucible
• ache
• heartache
• trial
• joylessness
• stitch
• soreness
• jeopardy
• rigor
• pinch
• twinge
• throe
• smarting
• asperity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• relief
• comfort
• consolation
• solace
• ease
• alleviation
• security
• peace
• assuagement
• well-being

torture

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to plague

to cause persistent suffering to

the neighbor's dog constantly tortures our cat, barking at him and chasing him down the street

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plague
• persecute
• afflict
• torment
• attack
• anguish
• besiege
• curse
• bother
• agonize
• rack
• bedevil
• beset
• harrow
• sting
• trouble
• excruciate
• strike
• pursue
• pain
• distress
• discomfort
• harass
• disturb
• dog
• annoy
• aggravate
• hound
• oppress
• hurt
• overwhelm
• molest
• assail
• worry
• ride
• badger
• stress
• irritate
• bug
• try
• harry
• exasperate
• put out
• stab
• grieve
• pester
• upset
• agitate
• irk
• vex
• disquiet
• rile
• tyrannize
• victimize
• discompose
• grate
• chafe
• strain
• crush
• pique
• perturb
• smite
• gripe
• nettle
• rasp
• martyr
• gall
• overpower
• prick
• fluster
• wring
• hagride
• peeve
• get
• smart
• pang

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aid
• assist
• help
• relieve
• release
• abet
• deliver
• comfort
• content
• soothe
• quiet
• console
• reprieve
• succor
• solace

2

as in to distort

to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition

tortured her naturally straight hair into curls

Synonyms & Similar Words

• distort
• screw
• contort
• deform
• curl
• warp
• misshape
• disfigure
• loop
• spiral
• squinch
• wind
• deface
• coil
• wring
• twine
• wrench
• wrest
• wreathe

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straighten
• unbend
• uncurl

Synonym Chooser

How is the word torture different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of torture are afflict, rack, torment, and try. While all these words mean "to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear," torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

tortured by a sense of guilt

When is it sensible to use afflict instead of torture?

While the synonyms afflict and torture 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 would rack be a good substitute for torture?

The words rack and torture are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rack stresses straining or wrenching.

a body racked by pain

In what contexts can torment take the place of torture?

The synonyms torment and torture are sometimes interchangeable, but torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

a horse tormented by flies

Where would try be a reasonable alternative to torture?

The meanings of try and torture largely overlap; however, try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

children often try their parents' patience

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of torture

Noun

Tykes get slapped around, shot with arrows and dangled in traffic — tortures that are played seriously, but the shock of them allows you to guffaw. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026

Sofia Vergara and Mel B turned away from the stage, while Simon Cowell compared it to the 1990 movie that includes physical torture. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026

Verb

Armand tortured and planned to drain Daniel, but Louis stepped in to save him. —Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026

The story of Alabama's congressional map is long and tortured. —Nina Totenberg, NPR, 2 June 2026