tortured; torturing
ˈtȯrch-riŋ 
ˈtȯr-chə-
1
: to cause intense suffering to : torment
2
: to punish or coerce by inflicting excruciating pain
Synonyms
Examples of torture in a Sentence
Noun
Waiting is just torture for me.
Listening to him can be torture.
Verb
The report revealed that prisoners had been repeatedly tortured.
Don't torture yourself over the mistake.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2024
The judge’s ruling also noted that Assange could be stuck in solitary confinement for 23 hours per day while awaiting trial in the U.S., a punishment widely considered by other wealthy countries to be torture.
—Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 17 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for torture 
Noun
Trina Mae Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of child torture, one count of child neglect—deprivation of food and health care, one count of child endangerment, and one count of assault on a minor with a dangerous weapon, officials said.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2024
The judge’s ruling also noted that Assange could be stuck in solitary confinement for 23 hours per day while awaiting trial in the U.S., a punishment widely considered by other wealthy countries to be torture.
—Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 17 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for torture
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'torture.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Torture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torture. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
torture
1 of 2 noun
tor·ture
ˈtȯr-chər
1
: distress of body or mind
2
: the causing of great pain especially to punish or to obtain a confession
torture
2 of 2 verb
tortured; torturing
ˈtȯrch-(ə-)riŋ
1
: to cause great suffering to
2
: to punish or force someone to do or say something by causing great pain
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