torture
noun
the act of inflicting excruciating pain, as punishment or revenge, as a means of getting a confession or information, or for sheer cruelty.
had been torturing
-
past perfect progressiveof torture.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After winning a record 23rd Grand Slam men's title two years ago, Djokovic admitted he had been "torturing" his team during the tournament.
From BBC ● Jan. 23, 2025
Last year, Pham sued the Central Intelligence Agency in the same federal court where he is now charged criminally, claiming that the CIA had been torturing him “from the fourth dimension,” court records show.
From Seattle Times ● May 17, 2023
But as Westbrook checked into the game with just under six minutes to play, the in-arena sound engineer that had been torturing him all game cued up one more.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 13, 2022
At the time, she talked about a "really weird relationship" that had been torturing her for years.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 6, 2011
"I am glad you think it doesn't," he said, in a relieved tone, for he had been torturing himself with the thought that he was a most unnatural son.
From The Story of the Big Front Door by Mary Finley Leonard
