1
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
relatives had to make the torturous decision to disconnect the patient's life-support system
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2
as in wrenching
intensely or unbearably painful
the post-infection treatment for rabies was as notoriously torturous as the disease itself
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Recent Examples of torturous
But nitrogen executions are particularly torturous to not only the person sentenced to die, but also everyone who have to witness them, Hood said.
—
Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2025
Season 1 ended January 12 with cartel boss Gallino (Garcia) sparing Tommy Norris (Thornton) from a torturous end.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025
But maybe that’s even more torturous than her child named Bless who never even knew that country.
—A Dialogue, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2025
Today's ruling averts that torturous outcome.
—Tobias Meyjes, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for torturous
Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2025
Season 1 ended January 12 with cartel boss Gallino (Garcia) sparing Tommy Norris (Thornton) from a torturous end.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025
But maybe that’s even more torturous than her child named Bless who never even knew that country.
—A Dialogue, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2025
Today's ruling averts that torturous outcome.
—Tobias Meyjes, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for torturous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torturous
Adjective
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The result is the year’s most daring TV performance, rooted in a painful, just barely recognizable humanity.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
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The company said its offering, akin to online tax preparation software, could help students maximize financial aid while making the application process less painful.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The National Nuclear Security Administration funds the sensors, which undergo rigorous shock, vibration, thermal vacuum, and prompt X-ray testing to survive launch and the harsh space environment.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Sep. 2025
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Additionally, try not to use any harsh cleaners or a really abrasive solution that may damage the surface.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The pair endured an agonizing drive to the hospital, unsure of Lulu's status — praying the entire way.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
18 Sep. 2025
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The 69-year-old's head lowered to the Hot Topics table over an agonizing host chat.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In a cruel exercise, each kid is provided with a pack of basic supplies and made to hike 50 miles through the wilderness to the top of Mount Otis.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
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Community leader Araya Amsalu, who helped coordinate a vigil following the shooting, said knowing Eden had gone to law enforcement about Ericksen before made the shooting feel even more cruel.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In August, Lance Johnson woke up in the middle of the night with excruciating stomach pain in his lower right side.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
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The headline is that Europe pulled off a stunning victory on foreign soil, a win that was at times breathtaking and breathless, exhilarating and excruciating in equal measure.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Safdie perceptively locates the protagonist’s troubling inner contradictions—the atavistic fury that drives him to compete and the intense self-control that competition demands—but dramatizes such outer crises as opioid addiction and conflict with his girlfriend (Emily Blunt) only schematically.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Torturous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torturous. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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