What does torture mean?
Definitions for torture
ˈtɔr tʃərtor·ture
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word torture.
Princeton's WordNet
anguish, torment, torturenoun
extreme mental distress
torture, tormentnoun
unbearable physical pain
agony, torment, torturenoun
intense feelings of suffering; acute mental or physical pain
"an agony of doubt"; "the torments of the damned"
distortion, overrefinement, straining, torture, twistingnoun
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
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"
torment, torture, excruciate, rackverb
torment emotionally or mentally
torture, excruciate, tormentverb
subject to torture
"The sinners will be tormented in Hell, according to the Bible"
Wiktionary
torturenoun
Intentional causing of somebody's experiencing agony.
torturenoun
The "suffering of the heart" imposed by one on another, as in personal relationships.
Every time she says 'goodbye' it is torture!
tortureverb
To intentionally inflict severe pain or suffering on (someone).
People who torture often have sadistic tendencies.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Torturenoun
Etymology: torture, Fr. tortura, Lat.
Hecate
Then led me trembling through those dire abodes,
And taught the tortures of th’ avenging gods. Dryden.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.
To Tortureverb
Etymology: from the noun.
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.
Still must I cherish the dear, sad remembrance
At once to torture, and to please my soul. Joseph Addison, Cato.The bow tortureth the string continually, and thereby holdeth it in a continual trepidation. Francis Bacon, Nat. Hist.
Wikipedia
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.
ChatGPT
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 Dictionary
Torturenoun
extreme pain; anguish of body or mind; pang; agony; torment; as, torture of mind
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
Torturenoun
the act or process of torturing
Tortureverb
to put to torture; to pain extremely; to harass; to vex
Tortureverb
to punish with torture; to put to the rack; as, to torture an accused person
Tortureverb
to wrest from the proper meaning; to distort
Tortureverb
to keep on the stretch, as a bow
Wikidata
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 Dictionary
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 Medicine
Torture
The intentional infliction of physical or mental suffering upon an individual or individuals, including the torture of animals.
Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms
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 Resources
torture
Song lyrics by torture -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by torture on the Lyrics.com website.
Matched Categories
Anagrams for torture »
trouter
tutorer
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of torture in Chaldean Numerology is: 3
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of torture in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9
Examples of torture in a Sentence
It was obvious that Mr. Assange's health has been seriously affected by the extremely hostile and arbitrary environment he has been exposed to for many years, in addition to physical ailments, Mr. Assange showed all symptoms typical for prolonged exposure to psychological torture, including extreme stress, chronic anxiety and intense psychological trauma.
New Zealand has obligations under international law to refuse to return a person to a jurisdiction in which they will be at substantial risk of torture, or where they will not receive a fair trial.
Deputy Interior Secretary Alejandro Encinas:
We are beginning a joint recuperation of spaces where torture and killings of dissident men and women were carried out in those years.
There are bodies with a rope around the neck, with hands tied, with broken limbs and with gunshot wounds. Several men had their genitals amputated, all this is evidence of the terrible torture to which the occupiers subjected the residents of Izium.
Repatriated North Koreans are at great risk of serious human rights violations, including torture, the government of North Korea criminalizes those who cross the border irregularly.
Popularity rank by frequency of use
References
Translations for torture
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- عزّب, تعزيبArabic
- işgəncəAzerbaijani
- катаваннеBelarusian
- мъчениеBulgarian
- tortura, torturarCatalan, Valencian
- muka, mučeníCzech
- tortur, tortere, torturereDanish
- Tortur, Folter, folternGerman
- βασανίζω, βασανιστήρια, βασανιστήριοGreek
- torturo, torturiEsperanto
- tortura, torturarSpanish
- piinamineEstonian
- شکنجهPersian
- kiduttaa, kidutusFinnish
- píningFaroese
- torturer, tortureFrench
- pianadhIrish
- torturar, torturaGalician
- kínzás, kínoz, kínszenvedésHungarian
- չարչարանք, խոշտանգել, խոշտանգում, կտտանքArmenian
- torturaItalian
- 拷問Japanese
- ទារុណកម្មKhmer
- 고문, 拷問Korean
- cruciamenLatin
- martelen, folteren, martelingDutch
- torturere, torturNorwegian
- torturaPolish
- torturar, torturaPortuguese
- tortura, chinui, chinRomanian
- истязание, пытать, мучение, страдание, мучить, мука, пыткаRussian
- mučenieSlovak
- tortera, tortyrSwedish
- சித்திரவதைTamil
- చిత్రహింసTelugu
- การทรมานThai
- işkenceTurkish
- тортураUkrainian
- tra tấnVietnamese
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"torture." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/torture>.
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