What does torturing mean?
Torturing means inflicting severe physical pain or cruel suffering on a person or animal, especially as a deliberate act. The word can also describe intense psychological distress caused by persistent worries, doubts, guilt, or uncertainty. In its literal sense, it refers to serious cruelty and is strongly associated with abuse, coercion, and interrogation. Figurative uses retain the idea of persistent anguish, as in someone being tortured by uncertainty. The present participle form is formed from torture and is commonly used in descriptions of actions and events: “the report alleged that guards were torturing prisoners.” Its severity means that it should generally not be used loosely for ordinary discomfort or inconvenience. Alongside the more neutral-sounding “tormenting” and “mistreating,” torturing is especially appropriate when deliberate suffering or cruel treatment is central to the meaning.
verb (present participle and gerund)Torturing is the act of inflicting severe pain, suffering, or cruel treatment on someone or something. It can also mean causing intense mental or emotional distress, as when a doubt or worry persists.
- Subjecting a person or animal to severe physical pain, suffering, or cruel treatment.
- Causing intense mental or emotional distress, especially as a result of persistent worry, doubt, or guilt.
"The witnesses described the prisoners as being tortured for hours without respite."
"The guards were accused of torturing detainees during the interrogation."
"The uncertainty about her brother's whereabouts was torturing her for months."
The word entered English through Old French torture, which came from the Latin tortura, associated with twisting and wrenching.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does torturing come from?
Torturing is the present participle and gerund of torture. The word entered English through Old French torture, from Latin tortura, a term associated with twisting and wrenching and ultimately with torquere, meaning “to twist.” English later developed related forms including torturer and torturous, while Latin-derived words such as tortuous and contorsion reflect the same broader root.
Related word forms
How torturing is actually used
Torturing is strongly negative and usually describes deliberate cruelty or severe suffering. In figurative use, it describes persistent mental anguish rather than physical torture.
Easily confused with torturing
Tortuous means painfully slow, complicated, or circuitous, whereas torturing means inflicting suffering or severe distress.