torment

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'torment' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb meaning to cause someone great mental or physical suffering. For example, "The victim of school bullying was tormented by her classmates for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Central Americans displayed a sounder structure, with the wing-backs helping the three centre-backs and the midfield providing protection too, and Mora suggested that he bore no ill-effects from his torment in Elche by producing a phenomenal one-handed save to deny Erin Vandenbergh early on.

The Guardian - Sport

To torment Cathy, he strangles her dog simply because he believes she has rejected him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Any woman who hopes to achieve damehood with a minimum of inner torment will want to study Joan Collins, whose foremost political acts appear to be her contributions to the Spectator and occasional outbursts against the modern world.

The Guardian - Opinion

In this picture the medieval artist Hugo van der Goes – who in real life was confined to a monastery because of mental illness – broods in torment, while those around him despair of helping the afflicted man.

The Guardian

It was clear from the beginning that Amanda was going through her own kind of torment about doing the diary, struggling to square her devotion to William Hague and the party with what she knew would be perceived by some as an act of betrayal.

The Guardian

It's nothing like the early days of the revolution when neighborhood vigilantes would torment those they deemed immodest under a selective interpretation of the Islamic principle of "commanding the good and forbidding the evil".

The Guardian

Mobs usually do when they find someone else to torment, or remember that it's lunch time.

The Guardian

He's just trying desperately to keep all the plates spinning, and it becomes very much this appalling tragedy of a man in absolute torment".

The Guardian

In a torment of frustration, Mohammed stood outside the governor's and threw a can of petrol over himself.

The Guardian

10 min: Maribor's full-backs enjoy a brief moment of respite as assorted Spurs defenders ping the ball to and from amongst themselves while wondering how best to torment the opposition next.

The Guardian - Sport

But he says he "can only imagine the torment that Bruce Jenner went through" before becoming a transgendered woman.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "torment" to describe intense suffering, whether physical or emotional. Ensure the context clearly indicates the source and nature of the torment.

Common error

Avoid using "torment" to describe minor inconveniences or annoyances. "Torment" implies a significant level of suffering, so use words like "irritate" or "bother" for less severe situations.

Linguistic Context

The word "torment" primarily functions as a verb, denoting the act of causing severe suffering or distress, either physical or mental. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the word's correctness and usability. Examples show it used to describe actions causing intense pain or anguish.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "torment" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a verb. It's used to describe the act of causing severe physical or mental suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Analysis of example sentences reveals that "torment" frequently appears in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science articles. When considering similar terms, options like "cause suffering" or "inflict pain" can be used, though they may lack the specific nuance of "torment". As a writing tip, remember that "torment" should be reserved for situations involving significant distress rather than mild annoyances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause suffering

Focuses on the act of causing suffering, generalizing the type of suffering.

cause agony

Focuses on the action of inducing extreme physical or mental suffering.

inflict pain

Emphasizes the action of inflicting pain, either physical or emotional.

cause distress

Highlights the creation of emotional or mental distress.

persecute

Implies a sustained and systematic harassment or ill-treatment.

badger

Suggests persistent annoyance or harassment, often of a less severe nature.

harass

Indicates repeated and unwanted actions that cause distress or annoyance.

vex

Implies causing irritation or annoyance.

oppress

Highlights the exercise of authority or power in a cruel or unjust manner.

afflict

Suggests causing pain or suffering to someone or something.

FAQs

How to use "torment" in a sentence?

Use "torment" to describe causing severe suffering, either physical or mental. For example, "The bully used to "torment" younger children."

What can I say instead of "torment"?

You can use alternatives like "cause suffering", "inflict pain", or "cause distress" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "torment" or "torture"?

"Torture" often refers to physical pain inflicted intentionally, while ""torment"" can apply to both physical and emotional suffering, and may not always be intentional.

What's the difference between "torment" and "annoy"?

"Torment" implies severe and prolonged suffering, while "annoy" refers to mild irritation or disturbance. The intensity of the suffering is the key difference.