ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Torture

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ˈtoɹt͡ʃɚ/ · Part of speech noun

Quick meaning: Torture is a noun meaning Severe pain or anguish, of mind or body.

Meaning

Severe pain or anguish, of mind or body.

More Meanings

  1. (in figurative or extended use) An unpleasant sensation or its infliction: embarrassment, heartache, etc.
  2. (transitive) To intentionally inflict severe pain or suffering on (someone), usually with the aim of forcing confessions or punishing them.
  3. The infliction of severe pain or anguish, especially as an interrogation technique or punishment; (usually in the plural) a technique, method, or device which is designed to inflict such anguish.

Example Sentences

What new tortures await me?
People confess to anything under torture.
Every time she says 'goodbye' it is torture!
Using large dogs to attack bound, hand-cuffed prisoners is clearly torture.

Word Forms

Synonyms for torture

Depending on context, synonyms include torment, excruciate, anguish, rend, difficulty, distress.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include excruciate, agony, anguish, distortion, straining, overrefinement.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.