torturous
adjective
tor·tur·ous
ˈtȯr-chə-rəs 
ˈtȯrch-
1
a
: very unpleasant or painful
a torturous day
torturous self-doubts
b
: causing torture
torturous inquisitions
2
: painfully difficult or slow
the torturous course of the negotiations
torturously
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of torturous in a Sentence
relatives had to make the torturous decision to disconnect the patient's life-support system
the post-infection treatment for rabies was as notoriously torturous as the disease itself
Recent Examples on the Web
According to the political scientist Pierre Englebert, the Congolese government and people lose as much as $4 billion in revenue every year due to state agents’ manipulation of mining contracts and payments, torturous budget practices, and outright theft.
—
Stephen R. Weissman, Foreign Affairs, 8 June 2015
The right boots, however, can make previously torturous bell-to-bell days no big deal.
—Drew Zieff, Outside Online, 9 Oct. 2024
Parking is torturous enough through the Melrose corridor on the weekdays, plus giving a restaurant staff off on Saturday and Sunday seems boldly civilized.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024
But Bowman is reveling in the idea that a Frenchman not only won gold in what many regard as swimming’s most torturous event — but that the same Frenchman snared the last of Phelps’s world records at last summer’s world championships.
—Barry Svrluga, Washington Post, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for torturous 
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.
Stephen R. Weissman, Foreign Affairs, 8 June 2015
The right boots, however, can make previously torturous bell-to-bell days no big deal.
—Drew Zieff, Outside Online, 9 Oct. 2024
Parking is torturous enough through the Melrose corridor on the weekdays, plus giving a restaurant staff off on Saturday and Sunday seems boldly civilized.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024
But Bowman is reveling in the idea that a Frenchman not only won gold in what many regard as swimming’s most torturous event — but that the same Frenchman snared the last of Phelps’s world records at last summer’s world championships.
—Barry Svrluga, Washington Post, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for torturous
Dictionary Entries Near torturous
Cite this Entry
“Torturous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torturous. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share