1
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
relatives had to make the torturous decision to disconnect the patient's life-support system
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2
as in wrenching
intensely or unbearably painful
the post-infection treatment for rabies was as notoriously torturous as the disease itself
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Recent Examples of torturous
Now, five years after the declaration of a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and three years past seeing how torturous a death the virus can bring, Shaver says the experience gave her a new perspective on life.
—
Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2025
Their decision came shortly after Alabama introduced the method to the public in January 2024, during the controversial and disputed execution of Kenny Smith, whose death was described by several witnesses, including reporters, as potentially torturous.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2025
The crane-hunt proposal reminds some observers of Wisconsin’s torturous experience with approving a mourning dove hunt a generation ago.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 17 Jan. 2025
The Lombardi is more Holy Grail than trophy, the end of what can only be described as a torturous emotional pilgrimage.
—Ali Watkins, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for torturous
Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2025
Their decision came shortly after Alabama introduced the method to the public in January 2024, during the controversial and disputed execution of Kenny Smith, whose death was described by several witnesses, including reporters, as potentially torturous.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2025
The crane-hunt proposal reminds some observers of Wisconsin’s torturous experience with approving a mourning dove hunt a generation ago.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 17 Jan. 2025
The Lombardi is more Holy Grail than trophy, the end of what can only be described as a torturous emotional pilgrimage.
—Ali Watkins, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for torturous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torturous
Adjective
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The overstressed tissue, either along your arch or right next to your heel, can then sustain tiny tears and become irritated, inflamed, and painful.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
4 Apr. 2025
-
However, Trump has described his policies as a painful yet necessary step to encourage companies to relocate their operations to the United States.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Donald Trump defended his harsh new tariffs on Saturday Night Live this week — and maybe took a swipe at last week’s musical guest, too.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
5 Apr. 2025
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When the father tried to explain himself, the women criticized him for being too harsh.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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There are differing accounts of the agonizing dispute as residents and their homeowners association tried to stop the new condo.—
Linda Robertson,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2025
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One in two children under 5 are acutely malnourished; over 537,000 suffer from severe acute malnutrition, a condition that is agonizing, life-threatening and entirely preventable.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Everybody else has no choice, really, other than to bring a cruel, narcissistic far-right leader to power.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2025
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Jokes that didn’t land with the squad The kids in Bad Influence say the pranks were the most cruel.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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March Madness has been as entertaining as ever, with the men’s and women’s tournaments filled with stunning performances, thrilling finishes and excruciating heartbreak.—
Bob Harkins,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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That was thrilling, nail-biting and excruciating all at the same time.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The May 1945 bombing came on the heels of another intense U.S. firebombing campaign known as Operation Meetinghouse.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
1 Apr. 2025
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The sun has once again unleashed a powerful solar flare, continuing its streak of intense activity.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Torturous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torturous. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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