B2verbconflictcrime
US/ˈtɔːr.tʃər/
UK/ˈtɔː.tʃə/
to cause someone great pain, on purpose, to punish them or make them give information
In context
The prisoners were tortured for information during the war.
He felt tortured by guilt after he lied to his friend.
Stop torturing the poor cat by pulling its tail!
Words that go with torture
verb + noun
- torture a prisonerSoldiers were forbidden to torture a prisoner.
- torture suspectsThe report found that police had tortured suspects to get confessions.
- torture yourselfDon't torture yourself over one small mistake.
verb + preposition
- be tortured byShe was tortured by memories of the accident.
- torture someone to deathThe regime tortured people to death.
adverb + verb
- brutally tortureThe guards brutally tortured the captives.