torture

TOR-chur/ˈtoɹt͡ʃɚ/UKTAW-chuh/ˈtɔːt͡ʃə(ɹ)/

4 meanings of torture

1
nouncountable or uncountable
The act of causing someone great pain on purpose, often to punish them or to force them to talk.
The prisoners suffered torture for weeks before the war ended.
Many countries have laws that ban torture completely.
2
verbtransitive
To hurt someone very badly on purpose, often to punish them or to make them tell something.
The soldiers tortured the captured spy for information.
It is wrong to torture any prisoner, no matter the reason.
Similartorment, afflict, agonize, hurt, rack
3
nouncountable or uncountable
Very strong pain or suffering, in the body or the mind.
The burning heat turned the long afternoon into torture.
He endured the torture of grief for months after the loss.
Similarpain, anguish, torment, distress, misery
Oppositepleasure, bliss, comfort, relief
4
noununcountable
A feeling that is very unpleasant or uncomfortable, like embarrassment or heartache.
Giving a speech in front of the class was torture for the shy student.
The awkward silence at dinner was pure torture.
Similaragony, torment, hell, misery
Oppositebliss, pleasure, delight

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It comes from Latin tortura, meaning a twisting, from the verb torquere, "to twist." It reached English through Old French.