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.
were 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.
Once, after a breakfast at McDonald’s, she said the voices in her head were torturing her.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 2, 2022
"Now we must try to sleep," he said, to prevent her from speaking any more of the words that were torturing him.
From The Call of the Blood by Orson Lowell
The thongs were torturing his arms and legs.
From Alice of Old Vincennes by Maurice Thompson
It was raining, and when the train was in motion the smoke and cinders were torturing.
From An Artilleryman's Diary by Jenkins Lloyd Jones
Northrup, hurrying on, believed there was no better way to drive off the blue devils that were torturing him than to pass the evening with Twombley.
From At the Crossroads by Harriet T. (Harriet Theresa) Comstock
