Torture - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Torture is the deliberate infliction of severe physical or mental pain to punish, intimidate, or extract information. It is widely condemned as cruel and inhumane.
Definition:
Inflicting severe pain or suffering as punishment, coercion, or cruelty.
Synonyms:
torment, agony, suffering, persecution
Part of Speech:
noun, verb
Antonyms:
comfort, relief
Common Collocations:
mental torture, physical torture, endure torture, torture device
Derivatives:
torturer, torturous
Usage Tips:
Use "torture" to describe extreme suffering or the act of causing it intentionally.
Common Phrases:
torture chamber, torture rack, psychological torture
Etymology:
From Latin "tortura," meaning "twisting" or "torment," via Old French "torture."
Examples:
- 1. The prisoner endured years of brutal torture.
- 2. She described the ordeal as psychological torture.
- 3. The dictator used torture to suppress dissent.
- 4. The movie depicted scenes of medieval torture.