1
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
relatives had to make the torturous decision to disconnect the patient's life-support system
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2
as in wrenching
intensely or unbearably painful
the post-infection treatment for rabies was as notoriously torturous as the disease itself
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of torturous
His other contributions of 7, 5, 11 and 3 have been hard to watch for their torturous uncertainty.
—
Tim Ellis, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Frantic searches for gas and plywood, relentless debates over staying or going, and the torturous uncertainty of a wobbly track came down to one moment Wednesday night:
Landfall.
—Kathryn Varn, Axios, 10 Oct. 2024
The two halves of this character combine in a captivating performance for which Goggins was happy to endure a torturous prosthetic.
—Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 13 June 2024
According to the political scientist Pierre Englebert, the Congolese government and people lose as much as $4 billion in revenue every year due to state agents’ manipulation of mining contracts and payments, torturous budget practices, and outright theft.
—Stephen R. Weissman, Foreign Affairs, 8 June 2015
See all Example Sentences for torturous 
Tim Ellis, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Frantic searches for gas and plywood, relentless debates over staying or going, and the torturous uncertainty of a wobbly track came down to one moment Wednesday night:
Landfall.
—Kathryn Varn, Axios, 10 Oct. 2024
The two halves of this character combine in a captivating performance for which Goggins was happy to endure a torturous prosthetic.
—Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 13 June 2024
According to the political scientist Pierre Englebert, the Congolese government and people lose as much as $4 billion in revenue every year due to state agents’ manipulation of mining contracts and payments, torturous budget practices, and outright theft.
—Stephen R. Weissman, Foreign Affairs, 8 June 2015
See all Example Sentences for torturous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torturous
Adjective
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The Spanish government is moving to rein in real estate purchases by foreigners and curb the spread of short-term rentals, part of a series of measures that officials say are necessary to alleviate a painful housing crunch that has rapidly become one of the worst in Europe.—
Liz Alderman,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
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Trump also makes clear his intent to apply painful public and government pressure on private-sector DEI practices as well, and does not cloak his reasons.—
The Editors,
National Review,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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So, if the Dodgers transition from the team that was unable to win it in a 162-game regular season to a dynasty similar to the Yankees dynasty, then the complaints of harsher regulations against the Dodgers may be warranted.—
Tyler Small,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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Ideally, opt for an eco-friendly detergent without harsh chemicals.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Andreeva decided to turn pro after losing an agonizing Australian Open girls final two years ago.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
18 Jan. 2025
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Her release brought indescribable relief, but each day before her name appeared on the list revealed the agonizing uncertainty families must endure.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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And having more thoughtful conversations doesn’t preclude the need sometimes to confront those who are needlessly cruel or organizations that benefit from such exploitation.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
18 Jan. 2025
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In recent months, the Justice Department and the state filed thousands of pages of new records in the lawsuit, including reports and sworn statements from pediatricians, scholars and others who describe Florida’s policies as archaic and cruel.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The harrowing reality is that Hamas may have once again learned a chilling lesson: that abducting Israelis is a devastatingly effective tactic to fracture Israeli society and extract excruciating concessions.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
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This injury not only caused excruciating pain but also forced her into a desperate situation where humans, slower and less elusive than her natural prey, became her sole means of survival.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The single performs even better on the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart, which is compiled in the same way as the Rock Digital Song Sales list, only the focus is exclusively on the more intense, harder style of the genre.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
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The Chiefs tallied another three points from Butker as both defenses were noticeably intense and solid as the first quarter ended 6-3 Kansas City.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near torturous
Cite this Entry
“Torturous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torturous. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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