First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1torment
noun tor·ment \ˈtȯr-ˌment\
: extreme physical or mental pain
: something that causes extreme physical or mental pain
Full Definition of TORMENT
1
: the infliction of torture (as by rack or wheel)
2
: extreme pain or anguish of body or mind : agony
3
: a source of vexation or pain
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Origin of TORMENT
Middle English, from Anglo-French turment, torment, from Latin tormentum torture; akin to torquēre to twist — more at torture
Related to TORMENT
Rhymes with TORMENT
absent, accent, Advent, anent, ascent, assent, augment, besprent, cement, comment, consent, content, convent, descent, detent, dissent, docent, event, extent, ferment, foment, fragment, frequent, hell-bent, indent, intent, invent, lament, loment, low-rent, mordent, outspent, percent, pigment, portent, present, prevent, pup tent, quitrent, rack-rent, relent, repent, resent, segment, Shymkent, Tashkent, well-meant, wisent
2torment
transitive verb tor·ment \tȯr-ˈment, ˈtȯr-ˌ\
: to cause (someone or something) to feel extreme physical or mental pain
Full Definition of TORMENT
1
: to cause severe usually persistent or recurrent distress of body or mind to <cattle tormented by flies>
First Known Use of TORMENT
14th century
Related to TORMENT
Synonym Discussion of TORMENT
afflict, try, torment, torture, rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear. afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress <ills that afflict the elderly>. try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control <children often try their parents' patience>. torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance <a horse tormented by flies>. torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering <tortured by a sense of guilt>. rack stresses straining or wrenching <a body racked by pain>.
TORMENTING Defined for Kids
1torment
verb tor·ment \tȯr-ˈment\
tor·ment·edtor·ment·ing
Definition of TORMENT for Kids
1
: to cause severe suffering of body or mind to <Flies tormented the cattle.>
2torment
noun tor·ment \ˈtȯr-ˌment\
Definition of TORMENT for Kids
1
: extreme pain or distress of body or mind
2
: a cause of suffering in mind or body <The waiting was torment.>
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