Definitions for torture
ˈtɔr tʃərtor·ture

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. anguish, torment, torturenoun

   extreme mental distress

2. torture, tormentnoun

   unbearable physical pain

3. agony, torment, torturenoun

   intense feelings of suffering; acute mental or physical pain

   "an agony of doubt"; "the torments of the damned"

4. distortion, overrefinement, straining, torture, twistingnoun

   the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean

5. torture, torturingverb

   the deliberate, systematic, or wanton infliction of physical or mental suffering by one or more persons in an attempt to force another person to yield information or to make a confession or for any other reason

   "it required unnatural torturing to extract a confession"

6. torment, torture, excruciate, rackverb

   torment emotionally or mentally

7. torture, excruciate, tormentverb

   subject to torture

   "The sinners will be tormented in Hell, according to the Bible"

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. torturenoun

   Intentional causing of somebody's experiencing agony.

2. torturenoun

   The "suffering of the heart" imposed by one on another, as in personal relationships.

   Every time she says 'goodbye' it is torture!

3. tortureverb

   To intentionally inflict severe pain or suffering on (someone).

   People who torture often have sadistic tendencies.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Torturenoun

   Etymology: torture, Fr. tortura, Lat.

   1. Torments judicially inflicted; pain by which guilt is punished, or confession extorted.

   Hecate
   Then led me trembling through those dire abodes,
   And taught the tortures of th’ avenging gods. Dryden.

   2. Pain; anguish; pang.

   Better be with the dead,
   Than on the torture of the mind to lie
   In restless extasy. William Shakespeare, Macbeth.

   Ghastly spasm or racking torture. John Milton.

2. To Tortureverb

   Etymology: from the noun.

   1. To punish with tortures.

   Hipparchus my enfranchis’d bondman,
   He may at pleasure whip, or hang, or torture. William Shakespeare.

   The scourge inexorable and the torturing hour. John Milton.

   2. To vex; to excruciate; to torment.

   Still must I cherish the dear, sad remembrance
   At once to torture, and to please my soul. Joseph Addison, Cato.

   3. To keep on the stretch.

   The bow tortureth the string continually, and thereby holdeth it in a continual trepidation. Francis Bacon, Nat. Hist.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Torture

   Torture is the deliberate infliction of severe pain or suffering on a person for reasons such as punishment, extracting a confession, interrogation for information, or intimidating third parties. Some definitions are restricted to acts carried out by the state, but others include non-state organizations. Torture has been carried out since ancient times. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Western countries abolished the official use of torture in the judicial system, but torture continued to be used throughout the world. A variety of methods of torture are used, often in combination; the most common form of physical torture is beatings. Since the twentieth century, many torturers have preferred non-scarring or psychological methods to provide deniability. Torturers are enabled by organizations that facilitate and encourage their behavior. Most victims of torture are poor and marginalized people suspected of crimes, although torture against political prisoners or during armed conflict has received disproportionate attention. Judicial corporal punishment and capital punishment are sometimes seen as forms of torture, but this label is internationally controversial. Torture aims to break the victim's will and destroy their agency and personality. It is one of the most damaging experiences that a person can undergo and can also negatively affect perpetrating individuals and institutions. Public opinion research has shown general opposition to torture. Torture is prohibited under international law for all states under all circumstances and is explicitly forbidden by several treaties. Opposition to torture stimulated the formation of the human rights movement after World War II, and torture continues to be an important human rights issue. Although its incidence has declined, torture is still practiced by some countries.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. torture

   Torture is the act of deliberately inflicting severe physical or psychological pain or suffering on a person, often to punish, intimidate, obtain information or a confession, or for the sadistic pleasure of the perpetrator. It is generally considered a violation of human rights and is condemned under international law.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Torturenoun

   extreme pain; anguish of body or mind; pang; agony; torment; as, torture of mind

2. Torturenoun

   especially, severe pain inflicted judicially, either as punishment for a crime, or for the purpose of extorting a confession from an accused person, as by water or fire, by the boot or thumbkin, or by the rack or wheel

3. Torturenoun

   the act or process of torturing

4. Tortureverb

   to put to torture; to pain extremely; to harass; to vex

5. Tortureverb

   to punish with torture; to put to the rack; as, to torture an accused person

6. Tortureverb

   to wrest from the proper meaning; to distort

7. Tortureverb

   to keep on the stretch, as a bow

FreebaseRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Torture

   Torture is the practice or act of deliberately inflicting severe physical pain and possibly injury on a person, though psychological and animal torture also exist. Torture has been carried out or sanctioned by individuals, groups and states throughout history from ancient times to modern day, and forms of torture can vary greatly in duration from only a few minutes to several days or even longer. Reasons for torture can include punishment, revenge, political re-education, deterrence, interrogation or coercion of the victim or a third party, or simply the sadistic gratification of those carrying out or observing the torture. The torturer may or may not intend to kill or injure the victim, but sometimes torture is deliberately fatal and can accompany forms of murder or capital punishment. The aim may also be to inflict pain but without causing fatal injury, or sometimes any injury at all. In other cases, the torturer may be indifferent to the condition of the victim. There is also torture that can be fatal eventually, but where attempts are made not to kill the victim quickly to prolong the length of time of the suffering. Although historically torture was sanctioned by some states, torture in the 21st century is prohibited under international law and the domestic laws of most countries. It is considered to be a violation of human rights, and is declared to be unacceptable by Article 5 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Signatories of the Third Geneva Convention and Fourth Geneva Convention officially agree not to torture prisoners in armed conflicts. Torture is also prohibited by the United Nations Convention Against Torture, which has been ratified by 147 countries.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Torture

   tor′tūr, n. a putting to the rack or severe pain to extort a confession, or as a punishment: extreme pain: anguish of body or mind.—v.t. to put to torture or to the rack: to put to extreme pain: to annoy: to vex.—n. Tor′turer.—adv. Tor′turingly, in a torturing manner: so as to torment or punish.—adj. Tor′turous, causing torture. [Late L. tortura, torment—torquēre.]

U.S. National Library of MedicineRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Torture

   The intentional infliction of physical or mental suffering upon an individual or individuals, including the torture of animals.

Dictionary of Military and Associated TermsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. torture

   As defined by Title 18, US Code, Section 2340, it is any act committed by a person acting under color of law specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering (other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions) upon another person within his custody or physical control.

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. torture

   Song lyrics by torture -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by torture on the Lyrics.com website.

Matched Categories

1. • Anguish
   • Falsification
   • Injure
   • Pain
   • Suffering

Anagrams for torture »

1. trouter

2. tutorer

How to pronounce torture?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say torture in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of torture in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of torture in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of torture in a Sentence

1. George Orwell, 1984:

   The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power.

2. Ahmed Shaheed:

   Fundamental problems also exist with regard to the due process and fair trial rights of the accused, i continue to receive frequent and alarming reports about the use of prolonged solitary and incommunicado confinement, torture and ill-treatment, lack of access to lawyers and the use of confessions solicited under torture as evidence in trials - practices that clearly violate Iran's own laws.

3. Umberto Eco:

   There is only one thing that arouses animals more than pleasure, and that is pain. Under torture you are as if under the dominion of those grasses that produce visions. Everything you have heard told, everything you have read returns to your mind, as if you were being transported, not toward heaven, but toward hell. Under torture you say not only what the inquisitor wants, but also what you imagine might please him, because a bond (this, truly, diabolical) is established between you and him.

4. Sonya Sceats:

   Despite the fact the civil war ended in May 2009, torture has been ongoing in Sri Lanka in every year since, right up to the present time, as an organization we've continued to receive very high volumes of referrals of Sri Lankans and in fact, we've had a couple of cases of torture this year after the change of president.

5. Tursenay Ziawudun Tursenay:

   Ifinallyhave realized that there's no such thing as good Chinese, the torture, mental torture and physical torture… they have no hearts.

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