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
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Jan. 2026
Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
Dan Bujor, who lives out of a school bus parked in Long Island City, was arrested Sunday on charges including overdriving animals, torturing and injuring animals and failure to provide sustenance, in addition to driving without a license, in connection with the bizarre incident, cops said.
—Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
George was arraigned Saturday on three counts of second-degree killing/torturing animals, two counts of abandoning/cruelty to an animal resulting in a death, and one count of abandoning/cruelty to an animal.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
Apparently, Lee couldn’t take Karl-Anthony Towns, who posted 19 points and 10 rebounds, torturing them on the interior and decided to change the look via the lineup.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 27 Nov. 2025
In the early days of Christianity, Emperor Nero persecuted Christians, arresting and torturing them before their execution.
—Lori A Bashian , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 23 Nov. 2025
It is accused of torturing and abusing political prisoners, such as women's rights activists who demonstrated for the right to drive.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Hundreds — some with and some without criminal records — have vanished without due process indefinitely into the prison systems of other countries infamous for torturing inmates.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Dahbia Benkired was convicted of raping, torturing and killing Lola Daviet, according the BBC, BFMTV and The New York Times.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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
Yorgos Lanthimos, Florian Zeller and Juliette Binoche are among more than 800 film professionals who have signed a joint statement condemning the Iranian government for killing and torturing its own people.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
Dan Bujor, who lives out of a school bus parked in Long Island City, was arrested Sunday on charges including overdriving animals, torturing and injuring animals and failure to provide sustenance, in addition to driving without a license, in connection with the bizarre incident, cops said.
—Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
George was arraigned Saturday on three counts of second-degree killing/torturing animals, two counts of abandoning/cruelty to an animal resulting in a death, and one count of abandoning/cruelty to an animal.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
Apparently, Lee couldn’t take Karl-Anthony Towns, who posted 19 points and 10 rebounds, torturing them on the interior and decided to change the look via the lineup.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 27 Nov. 2025
In the early days of Christianity, Emperor Nero persecuted Christians, arresting and torturing them before their execution.
—Lori A Bashian , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 23 Nov. 2025
It is accused of torturing and abusing political prisoners, such as women's rights activists who demonstrated for the right to drive.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Hundreds — some with and some without criminal records — have vanished without due process indefinitely into the prison systems of other countries infamous for torturing inmates.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Dahbia Benkired was convicted of raping, torturing and killing Lola Daviet, according the BBC, BFMTV and The New York Times.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torturing
Adjective
-
The sentencing hearing included emotional and wrenching statements from Ferguson's family, who described a life permanently altered by the loss of their son and relative.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Warfare Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza’s Warfare is an admirable attempt to counter the truism that there’s no such thing as an anti-war movie — that all war movies, however gruesome or wrenching, effectively (and often unwittingly) wind up glamorizing combat to some degree.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
This indicates that this exotic type of deformation should not be neglected in regions where it is known to occur, even if its presence cannot be unambiguously inferred through laser spectroscopy, according to the study.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Right now, the deformation zone looks to be just south of our region, setting up along and just south of I-68.—
Ron Smiley,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Troops are occupying our cities and persecuting our people.—
Maria Guinnip,
Oklahoman,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Trump has repeatedly alleged that the South African government is actively persecuting white citizens, particularly farmers.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The distorting design of the Senate and the Electoral College, the filibuster’s persistence, and centralized leadership have all contributed to legislative ossification.—
Duncan Hosie,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Removing those financial incentives would allow care to be organized around quality and access rather than distorting care into forms most favored by bureaucrats.—
Tomas J. Philipson,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The ensuing months were torturous.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Texas State pitcher Madison Azua simultaneously groaned and laughed while recounting the near-torturous exercises the program put her and teammates through.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In this environment, influencers and politically motivated accounts now function as de facto broadcasters, often spreading half-truths, distortions or outright falsehoods with little accountability.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Sonos says that equates to a clear sound with reduced distortion.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Restaurants expanding reach Marcos Carbajal, owner of Carnitas Uruapan in the Little Village, Pilsen and Gage Park neighborhoods, has been vocal about the financial struggles plaguing his restaurant since federal immigration enforcement rippled through the city starting in September.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Mayor Hogsett avoids police chief drama plaguing other cities, James Briggs argues.—
Joe Mutascio,
IndyStar,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Cattano suggests screwing mug hooks into the bottom of kitchen cabinets to utilize that space between the cupboards and the countertops.—
Bridget Reed Morawski,
Architectural Digest,
7 Jan. 2026
-
That’s because the president doesn’t care about screwing people.—
Alexander Bolton,
The Hill,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Torturing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torturing. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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