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
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
Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 1 June 2026
She was later transported to the Clark County Juvenile Hall and charged with 12 counts of willful or malicious killing, maiming or torturing an animal and three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property valued at more than $5,000, police said.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Then, she was transported to Clark County Juvenile Hall and booked for 12 counts of willful or malicious killing, maiming or torturing an animal and three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property valued at more than $5,000.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026
Others believe that extraterrestrials are imparting divine wisdom, or are simply torturing us, like a child pulling the legs off an insect.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The malevolent Sidious put Maul through the wringer, torturing and manipulating him on his path to becoming a fearsome Sith Lord.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 19 May 2026
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
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
She was arrested at a hotel near the barn and booked at the Clark County Juvenile Hall on 12 counts of animal cruelty, including intentionally aiming or torturing a horse, as well as three counts of malicious destruction of property.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 1 June 2026
She was later transported to the Clark County Juvenile Hall and charged with 12 counts of willful or malicious killing, maiming or torturing an animal and three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property valued at more than $5,000, police said.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Then, she was transported to Clark County Juvenile Hall and booked for 12 counts of willful or malicious killing, maiming or torturing an animal and three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property valued at more than $5,000.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026
Others believe that extraterrestrials are imparting divine wisdom, or are simply torturing us, like a child pulling the legs off an insect.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The malevolent Sidious put Maul through the wringer, torturing and manipulating him on his path to becoming a fearsome Sith Lord.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 19 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torturing
Adjective
-
His most wrenching scene, when Stagg receives a devastating personal call but cannot react amid the intense geopolitical stakes, captured this tension.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
26 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
This configuration permits the system to adjust for physical deformation or material degradation during continuous operations without requiring manual mechanical interventions.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
10 June 2026
-
The deformation depends on a single free exponent.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Biden weaponized Law Enforcement against his political opponent, while also persecuting many other innocent people.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
-
Jack Hayford, the founder of the King’s University, in Texas, claimed that the film was persecuting Christians, who only wanted to be treated equally.—
Isaac Butler,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
The stainless-steel finish is extremely durable and will last for years without bending or distorting.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
10 June 2026
-
Authorities will target transactions aimed at distorting the market and conduct field inspections this week to determine whether participants are engaging in speculative trading, Moon Jisung, deputy finance minister for international affairs, said in a statement.—
Hooyeon Kim,
Bloomberg,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
International human rights leaders have condemned nitrogen hypoxia as experimental, violent and potentially torturous.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
-
The execution method, which involves strapping a respirator onto the inmate's face and replacing breathable air with pure nitrogen gas, causing death by lack of oxygen, has been criticized by opponents as inhumane and torturous.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
This distortion-free mirror can be mounted to the back of a door, like in a bathroom, or leaned against a wall, offering a varied aesthetic.—
Christina Shepherd McGuire,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
-
Researchers have previously documented persistent body image distortions following weight changes, particularly among people who have spent years navigating weight stigma.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Overall, the vibes at SGF 2026 were markedly up compared to those from last year and 2024, when layoffs plaguing the industry and multiple game cancellations and releases were the main topics of conversation.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
11 June 2026
-
Mass tourism, rising sea levels, and scorching temperatures have been plaguing the unique Italian city.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
America’s favorite sport is not football, or soccer, but screwing over sports fans, which is why FIFA should hold its World Cup in the United States permanently.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 June 2026
-
At least Mercedes is reverting back to screwing things together rather than gluing things in a back-to-basics manufacturing push.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Torturing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torturing. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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