Torment Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of TORMENT

1

[noncount]

:

extreme physical or mental pain

• She lived in torment [=_anguish_] for the rest of her life.
• No one could understand his inner torment.
• After years of torment, she left her husband.

2

[count]

:

something that causes extreme physical or mental pain

• The mosquitoes were a constant torment.

Britannica Dictionary definition of TORMENT

[+ object]

:

to cause (someone or something) to feel extreme physical or mental pain

• Flies tormented the cattle.
• Not knowing where she was tormented him.
• Stop tormenting [=_annoying, teasing_] your sister!

— often used as (be) tormented by

• He was tormented by thoughts of death.
• She was tormented by her classmates.

— tormentor

/toɚˈmɛntɚ/

noun,

plural

tormentors

[count]

• She tried to avoid her tormentors.