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.
was torturing
-
past progressiveof torture.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Jacqueline McKenzie, a solicitor representing hundreds of Windrush victims, told the BBC the scheme was "torturing people" by asking them for "copious amounts of evidence which people just don't have".
From BBC ● Apr. 16, 2023
The coach looked at me like I was torturing my child, and simply uttered, “I hope he doesn’t get too rusty.”
From The Guardian ● Dec. 11, 2019
“This year was a little more difficult. I made a point to watch even the World Series and watch the Red Sox celebrate. I don’t know if I was torturing myself or not.”
From New York Times ● Feb. 14, 2019
An amateur singer was torturing a guitar somewhere in the building; tinny strains filtered down to the cafe where we sat.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2018
Jonas braced himself and entered the memory which was torturing The Giver.
From "The Giver" by Lois Lowry
