TORTURE Synonyms: 177 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

torture 1 of 2

noun

ˈtȯr-chər

Definition of torture

as in nightmare

a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness it's torture for me to see you so unhappy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

torture

2 of 2

verb

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

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as in to distort

to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition tortured her naturally straight hair into curls

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 torture

Noun

Most dramatically, five of the bodies were hung on a highway bridge, their half-nude corpses displaying signs of torture — a macabre display that recalled the worst days of the Mexican drug wars. — Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026 Naturally, the first question asks about his involvement in the crypto torture. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 23 July 2026

Verb

The case involves allegations by three men that they were tortured while imprisoned in Venezuela. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026 Lestat’s story is jarringly but effectively juxtaposed with Louis’ in a butcher shop where he’s being tortured at the hands of Armand (Assad Zaman). — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for torture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for torture

Noun

Cryptocurrency firms are facing a nightmare scenario in the Senate, where the shaky state of the industry’s top priority is threatening its plans to unleash midterm campaign cash against its enemies.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 29 July 2026
Victims who were injured in the shooting described panic attacks, nightmares and the fear that still follows them into classrooms, neighborhoods and even their own bedrooms.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 July 2026

Definition of nightmare

Verb

The following season, Toney appeared in a career-high 13 games, but he was plagued by drops and a late-season injury.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
The project to give the pool a facelift to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday began in April, but has been beset by difficulties after it became plagued by an algae bloom and the pool’s new blue lining began to peel.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of plague

Verb

Even after the team deliberately distorted the geometry, the one-way transport remained remarkably stable.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
By surrounding Brazilian funk’s fundamental elements with uncanny violin samples and disorienting synths, Agazero seems to offer a bleak vision of the way the country’s most popular genre has been distorted and misrepresented overseas.

— Amanda Cavalcanti, Pitchfork, 31 July 2026

Definition of distort

Noun

Little overnight relief Exacerbating the misery will be the lack of cooling temperatures overnight.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Smith Galer has much to say against the case for putting languages out of their misery, but her focus is on a point with which even the most unsentimental can surely sympathize.

— Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Definition of misery

Noun

When a product begins to influence distress, dependency, trust or professional judgment, the standard can no longer be simple engagement.

— Muhamad Aly Rifai, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Apply distress to a young brain, and the deformation isn’t just in the education process, but in the neurodevelopment of people’s minds.

— Erin Clabough, The Conversation, 31 July 2026

Definition of distress

Verb

In The Bacchae, Dionysus becomes violent only because his existence has been denied and his followers persecuted, and his maenads similarly become destructive only when pursued.

— Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 31 July 2026
Germany and Austria have unique programs that offer citizenship to the descendants of anyone who was persecuted or feared persecution by the Nazi regime between 1933 and 1945.

— Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026

Definition of persecute

Verb

Balor was interrupted by Sami Zayn, who complained about being screwed out of his recent world title win.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Shanghai Electric also displayed several core robotic components, including a planetary roller screw that the company says can handle more than three times the load of conventional ball screws.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026

Definition of screw

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“Torture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torture. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of torture

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