TORMENT


Meaning of TORMENT in English

noun , verb

■ noun

/ ˈtɔːment; NAmE ˈtɔːrm-/ [ U , C ] ( formal ) extreme suffering, especially mental suffering; a person or thing that causes this

SYN anguish :

the cries of a man in torment

She suffered years of mental torment after her son's death.

The flies were a terrible torment.

■ verb / tɔːˈment; NAmE tɔːrˈm-/ [ vn ]

1.

( formal ) to make sb suffer very much

SYN plague :

He was tormented by feelings of insecurity.

2.

to annoy a person or an animal in a cruel way because you think it is amusing

SYN torture

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WORD ORIGIN

Middle English (as both noun and verb referring to the infliction or suffering of torture): Old French torment (noun), tormenter (verb), from Latin tormentum instrument of torture, from torquere to twist.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.