torment

1 of 2

noun

tor·​ment ˈtȯr-ˌment How to pronounce torment (audio)
Synonyms of tormentnext
1
: extreme pain or anguish of body or mind : agony
She wrung her hands piteously together, looking like a soul in torment.—Lucy Maud Montgomery
2
: a source of vexation or pain
Love is a delight; but hate a torment.—Herman Melville
… the twin torments of his probable manic depression and chronic stomach pains.—Neal Karlen
3
: the infliction of torture (as by rack or wheel)

torment

2 of 2

verb

tor·​ment tȯr-ˈment How to pronounce torment (audio) ˈtȯr-ˌment How to pronounce torment (audio)
tormented; tormenting; torments

transitive verb

1
: to cause severe usually persistent or recurrent distress of body or mind to
cattle tormented by flies
tormented by doubt
She liked me, but she laughed at me, and tormented me …—Charles Dickens
2
: distort, twist
tormented adjective
… Emily—who is easily one of the most tormented characters of the show … —Rowan Born
The Witch makes the mundane sinister, from the tormented shapes of the corn husks in the field to the weird glow of pewter by candlelight. —Katy Waldman

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for torment

afflict, try, torment, torture, rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear.

afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.

ills that afflict the elderly

try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

children often try their parents' patience

torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

a horse tormented by flies

torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

tortured by a sense of guilt

rack stresses straining or wrenching.

a body racked by pain

Examples of torment in a Sentence

Noun No one could understand his inner torment. After years of torment, she left her husband. The mosquitoes were a constant torment. Verb Not knowing where she was tormented him. he was tormented by nightmares about the accident
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
His ’70s peak was also the peak of the ’70s, but putting masterpieces like the first two Godfather movies, The Conversation, and Apocalypse Now in preferential order is a torment, because they could be ranked differently on any other day. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024 Hoult is the center of the film and never overplays the torment roiling inside. —Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
In theaters, Hugh Grant torments and tortures two young Mormon women in Heretic, Judy Greer stars in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and Barry Keoghan plays a young dad in Bird. —Gerrad Hall, EW.com, 4 Nov. 2024 And one more day is one more opportunity to stop Bowser from tormenting me for trying to snooze. —Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for torment 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French turment, torment, from Latin tormentum torture; akin to torquēre to twist — more at torture entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of torment was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing torment

Dictionary Entries Near torment

torma

torment

tormentedly

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Torment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torment. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

torment

1 of 2 noun
tor·​ment ˈtȯr-ˌment How to pronounce torment (audio)
1
: extreme pain or distress of body or mind
2
: a cause of suffering in mind or body

torment

2 of 2 verb
tor·​ment tȯr-ˈment How to pronounce torment (audio)
ˈtȯr-ˌment
1
: to cause severe suffering of body or mind to
2
: to cause worry, distress, or trouble to : harass
tormentor
tȯr-ˈment-ər
ˈtȯr-ˌment-
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on torment

Nglish: Translation of torment for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of torment for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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