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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
-
Even with my healthcare connections, advocating for her as a patient was a nightmare.—
Zoya Hasan,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
With his wife in agony, Jason Nixdorf had a chance encounter with Zach Veigulis, a former chief data scientist at the Department of Veterans Affairs who was co-founding a company to help patients battle insurance company denials.—
Gretchen Morgenson,
NBC news,
18 July 2025
-
Thank God that my family members could get vaccinated and have been free of the pain and agony of these illnesses.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 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
-
Their relative misery even exceeds that of the Afghans and Iraqis.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs, his big, ugly budget bill, and the havoc that his immigration raids are spreading in the vulnerable industries of agriculture, hospitality and construction will inflict misery on all but the wealthiest sectors of the economy.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
18 July 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
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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
-
Soliman spent about four years at Cincinnati Children's, first arriving in the United States in 2014 after being persecuted in his native Egypt for work in support of freelance journalists.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
The Enquirer,
25 July 2025
-
The state government, closely aligned with Virginia’s de facto official Anglican church, persecuted Baptists during the 18th century.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
26 June 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 5 Aug. 2025.
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