TORMENT Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

torment 1 of 2

noun

ˈtȯr-ˌment

Definition of torment next

as in agony

a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness the released soldiers gave interviews trying to explain to civilians the torment that prisoners of war experience

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in distress

a state of great suffering of body or mind was in torment for weeks after he broke up with his girlfriend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in demon

a source of persistent emotional distress insomnia that was caused by a host of nighttime torments

Synonyms & Similar Words

torment

2 of 2

verb

tȯr-ˈment

as in to plague

to cause persistent suffering to he was tormented by nightmares about the accident

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Bigger crowds may not leave the chainsaw guy as much time for prolonged torment of individual guests. —

Erin Alberty, Axios, 15 Oct. 2024 My husband Jon and I, after having suffered more than 300 days of every parent’s nightmare of utter and indescribable torment, continued advocating and pushing for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. —

Rachel Goldberg-Polin, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025

Verb

But a spate of fresh wildfires has tormented Southern California this week. —

Karina Tsui, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025 And tree ring analyses suggest that the spring and summer months around that time were tormented with frost. —

Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for torment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for torment

Noun

The woman continued to experience abdominal pain for years after her procedure, but the source of the agony could not be explained by her doctors, the lawsuit said.

— Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2025
As Dieter screamed in agony, Kier fled to the waterfall to escape the sound.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Feb. 2025