torture

[ tawr-cher ]
/ ˈtɔr tʃər /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR torture ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

verb (used with object), tor·tured, tor·tur·ing.

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Origin of torture

First recorded in 1530–40, torture is from the Late Latin word tortūra a twisting, torment, torture. See tort, -ure

OTHER WORDS FROM torture

Words nearby torture

tortoni, tortricid, tortuga, tortuosity, tortuous, torture, torture porn, torturous, torula, torulopsosis, torulosis
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to torture

persecution, suffering, torment, misery, annoy, disturb, injure, beat, wound, abuse, persecute, mistreat, maim, mutilate, oppress, laceration, distress, martyrdom, agony, dolor

Example sentences from the Web for torture

British Dictionary definitions for torture

torture
/ (ˈtɔːtʃə) /

verb (tr)

to cause extreme physical pain to, esp in order to extract information, break resistance, etcto torture prisoners
to give mental anguish to
to twist into a grotesque form

noun

physical or mental anguish
the practice of torturing a person
a cause of mental agony or worry

Derived forms of torture

Word Origin for torture

C16: from Late Latin tortūra a twisting, from torquēre to twist

usage for torture

The adjective torturous is sometimes confused with tortuous. One speaks of a torturous experience, i.e. one that involves pain or suffering, but of a tortuous road, i.e. one that winds or twists
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012