torment 1 of 2

torment

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word torment different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of torment are afflict, rack, torture, and try. While all these words mean "to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear," torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

a horse tormented by flies

Where would afflict be a reasonable alternative to torment?

While the synonyms afflict and torment are close in meaning, afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.

ills that afflict the elderly

When could rack be used to replace torment?

The words rack and torment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rack stresses straining or wrenching.

a body racked by pain

When is torture a more appropriate choice than torment?

In some situations, the words torture and torment are roughly equivalent. However, torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

tortured by a sense of guilt

When might try be a better fit than torment?

While in some cases nearly identical to torment, try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

children often try their parents' patience

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of torment
Noun
The restoration team, led by longtime Dye disciple Tim Liddy, literally dug up the past, hand-excavating original contours, stripping and reshaping greens, and bringing back Dye’s signature elements—from punishing bunkers with steep grass faces to greens that tease and torment in equal measure. David Hochman, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 Leigh used every moment, every expression, to tell Blanche's story and to illustrate her torment, her delusion, and her desire for affection. Ew Staff, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
Our kitty topples flower pots, breaks windows, and torments neighbors — empowering a dark fantasy so many human beings possess. Luke Winkie, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025 Many of them would remember when the 17th Street Causeway had a draw bridge that tormented drivers, rising frequently for huge sailboats parading out to the Atlantic while locals were just trying to get to Publix. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for torment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torment
Noun
  • His experiences at Fuchu Prison left him with frostbite, screaming in agony, after being exposed to sub-zero temperatures during 20 days in solitary confinement.
    Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
  • What began as a blissful afternoon in the Florida sun ended in agony when a Jeep Wrangler suddenly barreled over a man lying on the beach, police said.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Kahle said that includes providing resources to participants for whom sharing experiences of intimate partner violence may cause trauma or mental health distress.
    Rae Ellen Bichell and Rachana Pradhan, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Climate anxiety — emotional distress linked to the climate crisis — is already widespread.
    Brooke Kasl-Godley, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Between cases, Harvey confronted his demons and by the series’ 2019 finale was a married man headed to Seattle to reunite with his sidekick to do some legal good for the little guys.
    Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Based on a book inspired by Chinese mythology, Ne Zha 2 tells the story of Ne Zha, a demon child raised by humans who is hunting for a magical potion to reanimate his friend, the dragon prince Ao Bing, whose body has been destroyed by a lightning strike.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Puerto Rico is frequently plagued by power outages, with the most recent island-wide event on New Year's Eve taking days to resolve.
    Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Now a depth arm in the organization who was called up from triple-A Oklahoma City for a spot start Wednesday, Miller’s first MLB outing of 2025 mirrored the struggles that plagued him over the rest of 2024.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Package delivery and unpaid toll texts have taken most of the headlines, but an even worse threat is proving a nightmare for phone users.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Eraserhead Year: 1977 Runtime: 1h 29m Director: David Lynch One of the most polarizing filmmakers of all time made an impact from his debut film, this surreal nightmare that was released in arthouses back in 1977 and was an instant hit in major cities.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In a lengthy interview with The Daily Mail, Moran's friend, Terry Stone, told the outlet that Moran's girlfriend was the one to encourage him to seek medical help after the actor was experiencing neck pain.
    Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • James Austin Johnson’s Donald filled the role of Jason Isaacs’ Timothy, despondent over crashing the U.S. economy with his tariffs and turning to McDonald’s chicken nuggets to ease the pain.
    Claire Franken, TVLine, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The gunman who killed 23 people in a racist attack at an El Paso Walmart in 2019 will spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history and the worst domestic terror attack on Hispanics that the country has ever seen.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The incidents have dramatically increased after Oct. 7 (Hamas terror attacks), but the trend was already increasing prior to that.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Sold to the public as increasing transparency, the legislation has been utilized to persecute Georgia’s opposition and arrest dissidents with impunity.
    Anastasiya Zavyalova, The Conversation, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Again, none of these Beautiful People ever thought of assisting Americans who were being persecuted by the Deep State these last few years before Jan. 20.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Torment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torment. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

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