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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Torment Definition, Examples, and Usage Guide (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：agony (torment)

torment 🔊

/ˈtɔːrment/

A state of great suffering, especially of the mind. It's a feeling of being mentally or emotionally tortured.

agony 🔊

➕

/ˈæɡəni/

A state of severe mental or emotional suffering, often caused by worry, fear, or grief.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'tormentum' meaning 'a twisting, torture', from 'torquere' to twist.

💡 Mnemonic

Torment sounds like 'torque' + 'ment' — imagine a twisting pain in your mind.

📖 Example

The torment of not knowing if he was safe kept her awake all night. 🔊 Not knowing if he was safe caused her such agony that she couldn't sleep all night.

🔗 Collocations

in torment – Experiencing great mental or physical suffering

cause torment – To bring about severe pain or distress

mental torment – Psychological suffering or anguish

🔄 Synonyms

anguish (n.) – Extreme mental or emotional suffering

torture (n.) – The infliction of severe pain, often as punishment

agony (n.) – Intense pain of body or mind

🚫 Antonyms

comfort (n.) – A state of physical ease and freedom from pain

peace (n.) – Freedom from disturbance or anxiety

relief (n.) – A feeling of reassurance and relaxation after worry or pain

🌱 Derivatives

tormented (adj.) – Experiencing or showing torment

tormenting (adj.) – Causing torment

tormentor (n.) – A person who inflicts torment

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from Latin 'tormentum', a device used for twisting and inflicting pain in ancient Rome. It later evolved metaphorically to describe severe mental or physical suffering.

Meaning 2：affliction (torment)

torment 🔊

/ˈtɔːrment/

A person or thing that causes great suffering or trouble, something that torments you.

affliction 🔊

➕

/əˈflɪkʃən/

A person or thing that causes great suffering, annoyance, or trouble.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

That persistent toothache was a constant torment to him. 🔊 That constant toothache was a continuous affliction for him.

🔗 Collocations

be a torment to – To be a source of persistent pain or annoyance to someone

constant torment – An ongoing cause of suffering or trouble

a real torment – A genuine and severe cause of distress

🔄 Synonyms

nuisance (n.) – A person or thing that causes annoyance or inconvenience

pest (n.) – An annoying or troublesome person or thing

plague (n.) – A cause of continual trouble or suffering

🚫 Antonyms

blessing (n.) – A beneficial or comforting thing

joy (n.) – A source of great pleasure or happiness

comfort (n.) – A person or thing that gives consolation or relief

🌱 Derivatives

tormented (adj.) – Experiencing or showing torment

tormenting (adj.) – Causing torment

tormentor (n.) – A person who inflicts torment