torture

1 of 3

noun (1)

tor·​ture ˈtȯr-chər How to pronounce torture (audio)
Synonyms of torturenext
1
: the infliction of intense pain (as from burning, crushing, or wounding) to punish, coerce, or afford sadistic pleasure
2
a
: something that causes agony or pain
b
: anguish of body or mind : agony
3
: distortion or overrefinement of a meaning or an argument : straining

torture

2 of 3

verb

tortured; torturing
ˈtȯrch-riŋ, 
ˈtȯr-chə- How to pronounce torture (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to cause intense suffering to : torment
2
: to punish or coerce by inflicting excruciating pain
3
: to twist or wrench out of shape : distort, warp
torturer
ˈtȯr-chər-ər How to pronounce torture (audio)
noun

torturer

3 of 3

noun (2)

tor·​tur·​er -chərə(r) How to pronounce torturer (audio)
plural -s
: one that tortures

Synonyms of torture

Relevance

Noun (1)

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for torture

afflict, try, torment, torture, rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear.

afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.

ills that afflict the elderly

try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

children often try their parents' patience

torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

a horse tormented by flies

torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

tortured by a sense of guilt

rack stresses straining or wrenching.

a body racked by pain

Examples of torture in a Sentence

Noun (1) Waiting is just torture for me. Listening to him can be torture. Verb The report revealed that prisoners had been repeatedly tortured. Don't torture yourself over the mistake.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Brave Iranian citizens took to the streets calling for liberty, only to be met with bullets, prison cells, torture and death. — Shaun McCutcheon, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2026 Decades after torture allegations were first leveled against former Chicago police Cmdr. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
Verb
Six men lured victims to resort then tortured them at gunpoint, FBI says. — FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026 The brutal nature of her murder—she was believed to have been tortured, and her body was cut in half and provocatively posed—helped spark a media frenzy. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for torture

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle French, from Old French, from Late Latin tortura, from Latin tortus, past participle of torquēre to twist; probably akin to Old High German drāhsil turner, Greek atraktos spindle

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of torture was in 1540

Phrases Containing torture

Rhymes for torture

See All Rhymes for torture

Browse Nearby Words

torturable
torture
torturedly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Torture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torture. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

torture

1 of 2 noun
tor·​ture ˈtȯr-chər How to pronounce torture (audio)
1
: distress of body or mind
2
: the causing of great pain especially to punish or to obtain a confession

torture

2 of 2 verb
tortured; torturing ˈtȯrch-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce torture (audio)
1
: to cause great suffering to
2
: to punish or force someone to do or say something by causing great pain
torturer
ˈtȯr-chər-ər How to pronounce torture (audio)
noun
Etymology

Noun

from French torture "causing of intense pain or agony," from Latin tortura "act of twisting," from earlier tortus, past participle of torquēre "to twist" — related to distort, extort, retort

More from Merriam-Webster on torture

Nglish: Translation of torture for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about torture

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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