Synonyms of torturing

torturing 1 of 3

adjective

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

• wrenching
• torturous
• agonizing
• excruciating
• intense
• tormenting
• raging
• violent
• biting
• racking
• harrowing
• extreme
• acute
• stabbing
• exquisite
• fierce
• tearing
• shooting
• penetrating
• piercing
• cutting
• vehement
• stinging
• sharp
• tingling
• smarting

torturing

2 of 3

noun

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

• deformation
• distortion
• deformity
• screwing
• warping
• contortion
• misshaping
• squinching
• disfigurement
• defacement
• malformation

torturing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of torture

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

• persecuting
• plaguing
• afflicting
• tormenting
• besieging
• attacking
• cursing
• bothering
• excruciating
• agonizing
• harrowing
• bedeviling
• racking
• anguishing
• besetting
• stinging
• troubling
• harassing
• pursuing
• oppressing
• molesting
• disturbing
• assailing
• striking
• hounding
• badgering
• pestering
• aggravating
• hurting
• trying
• distressing
• riding
• bugging
• annoying
• stabbing
• dogging
• irritating
• worrying
• agitating
• tyrannizing
• harrying
• riling
• upsetting
• victimizing
• exasperating
• stressing
• grieving
• overwhelming
• irking
• perturbing
• nettling
• discomforting
• crushing
• griping
• smiting
• vexing
• disquieting
• grating
• chafing
• piquing
• pricking
• straining
• overpowering
• rasping
• galling
• smarting
• getting
• paining
• putting out
• wringing
• flustering
• peeving
• martyring
• discomposing
• hagriding
• panging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assisting
• helping
• aiding
• abetting
• relieving
• delivering
• releasing
• comforting
• consoling
• soothing
• contenting
• quieting
• reprieving
• solacing
• succoring

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

• distorting
• screwing
• deforming
• contorting
• curling
• warping
• misshaping
• disfiguring
• squinching
• defacing
• winding
• coiling
• looping
• spiraling
• twining
• wrenching
• wringing
• wresting
• wreathing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straightening
• uncurling
• unbending

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of torturing

Noun

The animal was owned by a 34-year-old Monroe man, who was arrested on Thursday with a warrant on a third-degree charge of animal killing/torturing. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 12 June 2026

She was booked on 12 counts of willful or malicious killing, maiming or torturing of an animal, and three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property over $5,000. — Los Angeles Times, 1 June 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

But, if not, then stop using the existence of those goals as a way of torturing yourself. — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Arabella’s adoptive mother, Leticia McCormack, and her parents, Adella and Stanley Tom, were arrested three months later and accused of torturing the young girl to death. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Working off a few vague details, Bret begins to imagine a link between Robert and a serial killer known as the Trawler, who has been abducting and torturing young women around Los Angeles. — Leo Lasdun, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026

Chilean prosecutors believe Ojeda died while his captors were torturing him to get information about the Venezuelan political opposition. — Sebastian Rotella, ProPublica, 10 July 2026

In addition to its prior ties to al-Qaeda, HTS has been accused by the UN and other organizations of human rights abuses against women and children, as well as torturing and executing detainees. — Connor Greene, Time, 8 July 2026

What unfolds is a unique horror story that is unbelievably entertaining, psychologically torturing and incredibly fun. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

The Thunder grabbed Aday Mara (Michigan) at 12, which could be an overreaction to Wemby torturing you in a playoff series a month ago. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Henry Bernard Montgomery, 38, was arraigned Monday afternoon on one count of third-degree killing/torturing animals and given a $20,000 bond with a GPS tether. — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 22 June 2026