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 gleeful cruelty contained in these images is downright gut-churning, and makes for a necessary foundation to later moments of the elderly, fugitive Mengele being forced to confront his torturous wrongdoings.
—
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 May 2025
Transitions and transformations can be fraught, even torturous.
—Nicole Stanton, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
In contrast to the long, drawn-out, gradually intensifying torturous death scenes of the Final Destination franchise, this one emphasizes the swift and sudden unpredictability of Death’s design.
—Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025
The Elephant Man and Dune then mark Lynch’s entry into the Hollywood system, with the former a critical triumph and the latter a torturous misfire that would haunt him for the rest of his life.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for torturous
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 May 2025
Transitions and transformations can be fraught, even torturous.
—Nicole Stanton, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
In contrast to the long, drawn-out, gradually intensifying torturous death scenes of the Final Destination franchise, this one emphasizes the swift and sudden unpredictability of Death’s design.
—Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025
The Elephant Man and Dune then mark Lynch’s entry into the Hollywood system, with the former a critical triumph and the latter a torturous misfire that would haunt him for the rest of his life.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for torturous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torturous
Adjective
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And sometimes, that transformation, though painful, can deepen our capacity for compassion, connection, and appreciation for the precious gift of life itself.—
Charell G. Coleman,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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For millions of Americans, the road to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is slow and painful, sought only when symptoms become unmistakable.—
Louise Jacobsen Fisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Instead of internalising every harsh comment, try reframing it as information about their inner world rather than a reflection of your worth.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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Of the treaty’s three American signers—John Adams, John Jay and Benjamin Franklin—Franklin was said to have taken the harshest line against the loyalists.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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An agonizing and eventful 42 minutes later, elation erupted throughout the century-old ballpark as rookie catcher Carlos Narváez clocked a single off the wall for a 2-1 walk-off win for the Red Sox in the 10th inning.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
14 June 2025
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An alligator that narrowly escaped poachers in Florida was left in an agonizing predicament when a cord cinched to its head began slicing off its nose, a YouTube video shows.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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And for every San Antonio, there is a Utah or Washington or Charlotte that can’t believe how cruel the lottery can be.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2025
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This is cruel, unnecessary, and will further fan the flames of economic chaos for working families across this country.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Anderson won his first of his record 23 races in 2005 and broke his ankle in the celebrations, but the excruciating pain and eight weeks in a cast didn’t put him off.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
25 May 2025
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This became even more imposing when, toward the end of Game Four—another one that the Knicks seemed poised to win—the Celtics star Jayson Tatum suffered an excruciating injury to his Achilles tendon and crumpled onto the hardwood, howling in pain.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Recognizing that gulf is a sad thing for her, and Huston holds Anderson’s intense close-ups with an expression both loving and rueful at once. 40.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
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The faction's power grew with the shocking debut of Jacob Fatu, another member of the Anoa'i family known for his intense and destructive style in other promotions.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Torturous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torturous. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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