tormenting 1 of 2

adjective

1
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally it was a tormenting moment as they helplessly watched the other team score in the final seconds of the game

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2
as in torturing
intensely or unbearably painful a tormenting injury

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tormenting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of torment
as in plaguing
to cause persistent suffering to he was tormented by nightmares about the accident

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tormenting
Verb
Aside from tormenting the sole out transgender member of Congress by waging a campaign to bar her from using the women’s bathroom in the Capitol, Mace had been a side player that year. — Annie Karni, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026 The final scene shows the Bowden family grilling in that same backyard on a sunny day, seemingly happy with Max no longer tormenting them. — Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 Picture LeBron in his advanced age tormenting the Knicks one more time, denying them a two-peat, before beating the Spurs or Thunder in the finals. — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 30 July 2026 Aemond raves about his horrible older brother who spent their youth tormenting him. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 But your dad doesn’t need to be a celeb to enjoy the simple pleasures of tormenting him. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 9 July 2026 Rumor has it that Steve Spurrier could be the favorite, which would be hilarious given Spurrier's history of tormenting the Vols. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026 But the man hung himself, most likely due to Duncan tormenting him relentlessly like a jock pranking a nerd in an ‘80s campus comedy. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2026 With the help of journalist Gerrick Kennedy, the memoir details Brandy's meteoric rise to fame as a young teen while volleying ambition, exhaustion and self-doubt, moving through a predatory and tormenting industry and being misunderstood in the public eye. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tormenting
  1. painful
  2. wrenching
  3. plaguing
  4. cruel
  5. torturous
  6. persecuting
  7. harsh
  8. agonizing
Adjective
  • Be sure to start below the injury and wrap upward, overlapping each layer but never so tightly that fingers or toes become numb or painful.
    — Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Its absence does not make the eventual adjustment less painful.
    — MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of painful
Adjective
  • Prosecutors plan to seek a two-year extension at an April hearing, and the families of both victims delivered wrenching impact statements in court.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Bono penned a wrenching tribute to Hansard on the day of his death.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of wrenching
Verb
  • And in contrast to most brands, Essence Cosmetics and Catrice revealed at the beginning of this year that despite the tariffs plaguing all industries, the company would not be raising prices.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • This is a snapshot of the current WNBA experience—unprecedented growth and great basketball at risk of being swallowed up by the same culture wars plaguing the broader political landscape.
    — Jemele Hill, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of plaguing
Adjective
  • Having Sheridan actually be a cruel person was one of the key audience expectations the writer-director hoped to flip in the pursuit of laughs.
    — William Earl, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But Triage does have a moment in which an ember of the old cruel optimism flickers.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of cruel
Adjective
  • But, for the figures on the other end of the camera, the violation is often described as torturous.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
  • San Francisco has found many odd, obscure and torturous ways to lose this season.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of torturous
Verb
  • Biden weaponized Law Enforcement against his political opponent, while also persecuting many other innocent people.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 11 June 2026
  • Jack Hayford, the founder of the King’s University, in Texas, claimed that the film was persecuting Christians, who only wanted to be treated equally.
    — Isaac Butler, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
Definition of persecuting
Adjective
  • Scott London Every year, Black Rock City appears on a dry lakebed in one of Nevada’s harshest areas, then disappears just as fast.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Hig has bunkered down with a grouchy companion, Bangley (Josh Brolin), who thrives in this harsh world.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • Others are stretched across agonizing stretches of silence while Barrett lets an audience stare into the darkness and imagine every horrible possibility before finally springing the trap.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Damage to the remains could complicate evidence The discovery of human remains that set off a firestorm of questions about a possible link to Guthrie developed during an agonizing, monthslong search for the beloved mother.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of agonizing

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tormenting
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Cite this Entry

“Tormenting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tormenting. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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