1
as in nightmare
a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness
it's torture for me to see you so unhappy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in agony
a state of great suffering of body or mind
spent an afternoon in torture waiting to hear whether her brother had made it home safely
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to plague
to cause persistent suffering to
the neighbor's dog constantly tortures our cat, barking at him and chasing him down the street
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to distort
to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition
tortured her naturally straight hair into curls
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of torture
Lynette Rice, Deadline, 10 July 2025
Colleagues and former patients' families expressed concern for Soliman's safety if deported back to Egypt, citing fears of persecution and torture.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 9 July 2025
Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Aldermen could also award Jackie Wilson a $12.7 million deal after he was allegedly tortured and framed for a shooting his brother committed.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for torture
Noun
Seeing how she was broken down and dehumanized through torture and isolation, definitely reflected the lengths humans will go to in order to survive.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 10 July 2025
Colleagues and former patients' families expressed concern for Soliman's safety if deported back to Egypt, citing fears of persecution and torture.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 9 July 2025
Verb
The forlorn and broken-hearted are now tortured with watching an ex’s new life unfold right on their phone.
—Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Aldermen could also award Jackie Wilson a $12.7 million deal after he was allegedly tortured and framed for a shooting his brother committed.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for torture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torture
Noun
-
On top of the bathroom problems, the man says the kitchen is also a nightmare thanks to Jerry and Daisy, who leave dirty dishes around.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
27 July 2025
-
An ordinary evening rush hour turned into a nightmare for motorists crossing the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis on Aug. 1, 2007.—
Nick Woltman,
Twin Cities,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
The point isn’t just to resolve in-the-moment agony.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
16 July 2025
-
Jamal Musiala was writhing in agony, but what really hit hard was the way players on both teams were reacting to the Bayern Munich forward’s injury.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
Mohammad Omar had been plagued with medical problems since birth.—
Li-Lian Ahlskog Hou,
CNN Money,
22 July 2025
-
That’s the kind of problem that leads to the rodent Rose Parade that’s plagued other restaurants on this street.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
21 July 2025
Verb
-
Over time, that line has been distorted beyond recognition, used more to silence churches than to protect them.—
Lauren Cooley,
Sun Sentinel,
21 July 2025
-
First, Jane Street intentionally distorted the less liquid cash market to profit on the more liquid options market.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
That simplistic assessment would not account for the first student’s misery or the second child’s enjoyment.—
Iddo Gefen,
Twin Cities,
16 July 2025
-
Forced to comply with stereotypical African-American misery, Burnett works best outside Hollywood formula.—
Armond White,
National Review,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Extreme heat can also be an obstacle to exercising, spending time in nature, and socializing, all of which can make people feel good and also double as important coping mechanisms for emotional distress.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
26 July 2025
-
The lawsuit alleges both Transdev, which contracts with Boston Public Schools to provide bus transportation, and the driver Jean Charles were negligent and inflicted emotional distress on the family.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
On the other hand, there’s room in America for Afrikaners from South Africa, the white minority of Dutch origin who claim they are being persecuted and subject to violence inflicted by the majority Black population.—
Howard Simon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 July 2025
-
We have been persecuted, exiled, shunned and murdered, simply for our beliefs.—
Jessica Tzikas,
Sun Sentinel,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
The crew arrives only to find the hellish torments that have plagued Captain Kilpack and the first crew that disappeared for seven years.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
-
To soothe the torment Bill is receiving from other guests, Hank puts on a dress as well, takes on the role of Bill’s ex, and forces him to move on.—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Torture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torture. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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