torturous

adjective

tor·​tur·​ous ˈtȯr-chə-rəs How to pronounce torturous (audio)
ˈtȯrch-
1
a
: very unpleasant or painful
a torturous day
torturous self-doubts
b
: causing torture
torturous inquisitions
2
: painfully difficult or slow
the torturous course of the negotiations
torturously adverb

Examples of torturous in a Sentence

relatives had to make the torturous decision to disconnect the patient's life-support system the post-infection treatment for rabies was as notoriously torturous as the disease itself
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.
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 Working out was a chore or—even worse—torturous penance for failing to become the impossible ever-shrinking woman. Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for torturous

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of torturous was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Torturous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torturous. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

torturous

adjective
tor·​tur·​ous ˈtȯrch-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce torturous (audio)
: causing great pain
torturously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on torturous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!