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
The lawsuit noted the state’s previous problems with following protocol and says pentobarbital brings a high risk of torturous death akin to chemical waterboarding.
—
Kelly Puente, The Tennessean, 20 Mar. 2025
Despite his large body of work as a MAGA sycophant, YouTuber Benny Johnson couldn’t swallow Trump’s logically torturous explanations of why his backers should just forget about Epstein.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2025
But the games must go on, and in the third installment, he’s forced to play even more torturous rounds that divide the players further, including a terrifying game of hide-and-seek and a deadly round of double Dutch.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Teddi Mellencamp has finally emerged on the healthy side of a torturous, years-long battle with cancer.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for torturous
Kelly Puente, The Tennessean, 20 Mar. 2025
Despite his large body of work as a MAGA sycophant, YouTuber Benny Johnson couldn’t swallow Trump’s logically torturous explanations of why his backers should just forget about Epstein.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2025
But the games must go on, and in the third installment, he’s forced to play even more torturous rounds that divide the players further, including a terrifying game of hide-and-seek and a deadly round of double Dutch.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Teddi Mellencamp has finally emerged on the healthy side of a torturous, years-long battle with cancer.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for torturous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torturous
Adjective
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Once tooth enamel is lost, the tooth nerves are exposed, which is painful and makes the teeth sensitive.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
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Although the condition itself isn’t typically painful, raw or blistered skin can lead to pain and swelling.7 Secondary skin infections—like if a blister is exposed to bacteria and gets infected—can also cause painful symptoms.—
Sarah Bradley,
Health,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The report didn’t elaborate on that treatment but studies and surveys have previously highlighted the military’s notoriously harsh conditions.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
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After weeks of acrimony, concern and harsh statements, the dispute over who will control the River Forest Civic Center building at 8020 W. Madison seems to be headed toward a resolution.—
Bob Skolnik,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The 15-centimeter-long fish died an agonizing death, impaled on a 10-centimeter-long belemnite.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
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Laura and Geoff tried to summarize the heights of Greg’s life — most tied to football — as well as his agonizing final 15 years.—
Christopher Kamrani,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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As Wallace and Gromit investigate this mysterious thief, their paths cross with the cruel, trigger-happy Lord Victor Quartermaine (Ralph Fiennes), who has his own ambitions for the competition and Wallace’s love interest, Lady Tottington (Helena Bonham Carter).—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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Auggie isn’t a cruel, withholding bigot, but a stable and loving parent.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The sweeping diagnosis includes everyone from people who treasure their neurological differences to those with debilitating symptoms, including repetitive behaviors, excruciating sensitivity to touch and sounds, and difficulty responding to social situations.—
Sharon Lerner,
CNN Money,
22 Aug. 2025
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When a retired pharmacist with a rare blood disease suffered injuries in a car crash near his home in 2018, excruciating pain shot through his arm like a lightning strike.—
Beth Warren,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The dog days of summer brought intense heat to the Volunteer State, including a nearly month-long streak of 90-degree days in July, the fifth longest in Nashville’s history, said the weather service.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
23 Aug. 2025
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The combination of extremely dry weather, intense heat, parched land and lightning strikes in western Colorado has been the recipe for most of this year’s major blazes.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Torturous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torturous. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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