as in wrenching
intensely or unbearably painful
watched the final torturing moments of the game as the lead constantly shifted between the two teams
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in deformation
the twisting of something out of a natural or normal shape or condition
fans of the natural look frown on the torturing of garden trees and shrubs into fantastic shapes
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in persecuting
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
2
as in distorting
to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition
tortured her naturally straight hair into curls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of torturing
Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Some 800 film professionals, including Oscar winners Juliette Binoche, Marion Cotillard and director Yorgos Lanthimos, have signed a joint statement condemning the Iranian government’s brutal crackdown on protestors, calling out Tehran’s killing and torturing of its own people.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Jan. 2026
Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2026
His 39 points on 13-of-18 shooting in Game 3, including 16 in the fourth, evoked images of Hakeem Olajuwon torturing post defenders.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Barahona has been behind bars since March 2011 after being accused of killing of 10-year-old Nubia Barahona and torturing her twin brother Victor.
—Grethel Aguila, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
The coastal Georgia man arrested in 2018 and accused of torturing, killing and burying his two teenage children in the backyard of the family’s mobile home will spend the rest of his life behind bars after reaching a plea deal.
—Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 28 Apr. 2026
The briefing came days after Tierney secured a guilty plea from another Long Island serial killer, Rex Heuermann, who is expected to be sentenced in June after admitting to torturing and killing eight women.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
And which society is torturing the poets?
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
The two defendants are Kevin Murray and Devon Daniels, who are convicted of murder, but have maintained their innocence and accused Kato of torturing them.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
The cartel has been accused of using fake job advertisements to lure new members and of torturing and killing recruits who resist.
—CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
Noun
Yaldo was arraigned on March 20 on one count of third-degree killing/torturing of animals, a four-year felony, and given a $75,000 bond.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Some 800 film professionals, including Oscar winners Juliette Binoche, Marion Cotillard and director Yorgos Lanthimos, have signed a joint statement condemning the Iranian government’s brutal crackdown on protestors, calling out Tehran’s killing and torturing of its own people.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
Apparently, their definition of resistance is to gang rape as many women and men of all ages as possible before torturing, mutilating and murdering them.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2026
His 39 points on 13-of-18 shooting in Game 3, including 16 in the fourth, evoked images of Hakeem Olajuwon torturing post defenders.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Barahona has been behind bars since March 2011 after being accused of killing of 10-year-old Nubia Barahona and torturing her twin brother Victor.
—Grethel Aguila, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
The coastal Georgia man arrested in 2018 and accused of torturing, killing and burying his two teenage children in the backyard of the family’s mobile home will spend the rest of his life behind bars after reaching a plea deal.
—Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 28 Apr. 2026
The briefing came days after Tierney secured a guilty plea from another Long Island serial killer, Rex Heuermann, who is expected to be sentenced in June after admitting to torturing and killing eight women.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
And which society is torturing the poets?
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
The two defendants are Kevin Murray and Devon Daniels, who are convicted of murder, but have maintained their innocence and accused Kato of torturing them.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
The cartel has been accused of using fake job advertisements to lure new members and of torturing and killing recruits who resist.
—CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torturing
Adjective
-
Another wrenching question, of course, is whether at least the younger Perez siblings would want or need to go with Olga to Guatemala if she were deported.—
Tim Padgett,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
-
These four novels create a convincing, wrenching, kaleidoscopic picture of the range and repetitions of the most fatal kind of love; the sort of love that allows nothing else to grow around it, that eradicates all dignity; a love which, in order to be completed, must be told.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
However, the authors acknowledge that even their advanced simulations still cannot capture every fine-scale detail of crustal deformation or ejecta movement.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
9 May 2026
-
All of the processes of deformation, faulting and sedimentation are localized in one area, causing the Earth's crust to thin dramatically, according to Rowan, the study's lead author.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Saddam towered over Iraq’s political regime for nearly 30 years, plunging the country into multiple destructive wars, persecuting his own citizens and inflicting widespread trauma and suffering.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The order also accused the Cuban government of persecuting political opponents, suppressing free speech and the press, and committing other human rights violations—actions that have been documented by human rights organizations over the years.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His side accused Lively of distorting events on set and filed a defamation suit seeking $400 million in damages against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and others.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
Stern recommends hanging the silk item freely while steaming to prevent the garment from stretching or distorting.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Sixteen months after leaving Wolves following a torturous end to a once-promising tenure, O’Neil has set about rebuilding his coaching career in the unlikely surroundings of France’s Ligue 1.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Activists claim the animals were living in torturous conditions and were being used for medical research.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The challenge is distinguishing imbalances rooted in fundamentals from those created by policy distortions.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, Russia’s over-all economy is beginning to suffocate under the many distortions and externalities caused by four-plus years of full-scale war.—
Joshua Yaffa,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Having regulations put into place through this upcoming legislation is a win for both sides, especially if the overall revenue problems plaguing college athletics can at least be solved.—
Trey Wallace,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
Sixteen months after the Eaton Fire, these are the extreme measures Altadena residents are taking to deal with a host of toxic compounds, including arsenic and asbestos, plaguing their families and properties.—
Aarne Heikkila,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Put the stopper back in the sink before re-screwing the pivot nut, horizontal rod, and sliding your under sink items back into place.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
8 May 2026
-
Finally, the professional will install hangers to reinforce your gutters before screwing the mesh guard on top.—
Faith Wakefield,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Torturing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torturing. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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