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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Human rights groups and advocates have denounced mass and arbitrary arrests, torture and disappearances in the Central American nation’s prison system. — Julia Ainsley, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026 Human rights groups and advocates have denounced mass and arbitrary arrests, torture, and disappearances in the Central American nation’s prison system. — ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

Barahona, 59, has been behind bars since March 2011 after being accused of killing 10-year-old Nubia Barahona and torturing her twin brother Victor. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026 Investigators believe Nordquist died at a motel in Hopewell, New York, after being beaten and tortured for days. — Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for torture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for torture

Noun

Game-planning for this pass rush will be nightmare fuel for opposing offenses.

— Daniel Popper, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
In the weeks after the earthquakes, recurring nightmares plagued Marquina.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of nightmare

Noun

In a world where women endure the impossible to bring new life into the world—holding agony and beauty all at once—shouldn’t women be celebrated for more than just their idealized form and youth?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Bugs Bunny jams himself against the edge and grits his teeth in agony.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of agony

Verb

Safety and crowding concerns will continue to plague the uptown jail when Jail North reopens to alleviate conditions, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden warned late Friday.

— Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2026
Jackson broke his foot last training camp when a teammate stepped on it during practice, and that injury plagued him all of 2025 and required an offseason procedure that kept him sidelined during OTAs and minicamp.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of plague

Verb

In the twenty-tens, modern investigations made clear that the work was in danger of becoming distorted by this display, which would need to be redesigned.

— John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
However, landmasses are greatly distorted toward the poles, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere.

— Jewel Bright, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of distort

Noun

Illinoisans should demand state investments that serve struggling communities, instead of needlessly expanding the misery of our prison system.

— Joan Steffen, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026
At one point, a man placed a hand on Bibendum’s shoulder and led him offstage, as if to be put out of his misery.

— Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of misery

Noun

But, in his view, the discussion of mental distress among kids ought to focus there.

— Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
The family’s attorney says Mayich struggled through a military-style practice with little rest or water, showing clear distress before collapsing.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of distress

Verb

Also, some immigration cases involve people seeking asylum because they are being persecuted by a foreign government and releasing a person’s full name could be considered sensitive or even dangerous.

— Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 2026
The Tates have denied all allegations and have claimed they are being persecuted for their views.

— Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of persecute

Verb

The New World screwworm lays eggs on warm-blooded animals – which can include humans – and its larvae screw themselves into the living flesh,leading to infections and sometimes death.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
Like her, Americans are also so tired of being screwed by an administration that’s not only grossly incompetent and cruel but corrupt as well.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of screw

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torture

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“Torture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torture. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of torture

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verb

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