What does torture mean?
Torture names an extreme and deliberately inflicted form of suffering. The word most commonly refers to severe physical or psychological pain imposed on a person as punishment, interrogation, or coercion, but it can also describe any exceptionally painful experience. Verb uses often suggest a prolonged or relentless process: a person may be tortured by guilt, uncertainty, doubt, or memories. The word carries an unusually strong ethical charge, and discussions of torture usually evoke human-rights concerns as well as the physical act itself. Its figurative uses are vivid but strong, so writers often choose it when describing anguish that dominates someone’s thoughts or makes ordinary experience feel unbearable. Torture comes through Old French from Latin, where it was connected with twisting, turning, and the racking of the body. Its history makes the word especially memorable: the modern sense preserves the older physical idea of force being used to cause pain.
Severe physical or mental suffering deliberately inflicted on someone, especially as punishment or to force them to reveal information.
"The victim gave a detailed account of the torture he had endured."
The noun is strongly associated with deliberate abuse, coercion, and human-rights violations, as well as with figurative extreme anguish.
To inflict severe physical or mental suffering on someone, or figuratively to subject someone to prolonged anguish.
"The captors tortured the prisoner in an attempt to force a confession."
The figurative use is common in writing and speech, especially with words such as doubt, guilt, uncertainty, and indecision.
The plural is used for different acts or instances of torture.
"The records documented the tortures endured by political prisoners."
The word torture comes from the same ancient root as torque and torsion: the idea of twisting or turning under force.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does torture come from?
English borrowed torture from Old French torture, which came from Latin tortura, meaning “torment” or “torture.” The Latin word was associated with torquere, “to twist” or “rack,” reflecting the physical force involved in the older practice. The same root also connects words such as tortuous, torque, torsion, and contortion.
Related word forms
How torture is actually used
The term has a strongly negative moral and emotional association and is usually used for deliberate, extreme suffering. In figurative use, it often describes persistent worry, uncertainty, guilt, or remorse, while remaining more dramatic than ordinary discomfort.
Easily confused with torture
Torture means severe suffering or the act of inflicting it, whereas tortuous means twisting, winding, or deliberately complicated.