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.