torture
noun
uk/ˈtɔː.tʃər/us/ˈtɔːr.tʃɚ/C2[U]
theactofcausinggreatphysicalormentalpaininordertopersuadesomeone to do something or to giveinformation, or to becruelto apersonoranimal:
拷打；拷问；折磨；虐待Half of theprisonersdiedafter torture andstarvation.半数的囚犯死于拷打和饥饿。
Herevealedthesecretundertorture.在严刑拷打之下他吐露了秘密。
C1[CorU]informal
a veryunpleasantexperience:
折磨，煎熬The rush-hourtrafficwassheertorture asusual.交通高峰期像往常一样简直就是一种煎熬。
- Even under torture, herefusedtodenyhisfaith.
- They usedsleepdeprivationas aformof torture.
- Humanrightscampaignershavediscovereddocumentaryevidenceof torture.
- She wassubjectedto torture andlengthyinterrogations.
- The torturefailedtobreakthe prisoner'sspirit.
Treating people or animals badly
- abuser
- anti-harassment
- at the hands ofsomeoneidiom
- batten
- batten onsomeone
- ill-treat
- ill-treatment
- ill-used
- impose
- inflict
- pick onsomeone
- prey
- prey onsomething
- putsomeonethroughsomething
- put upon
- tyrannize
- tyranny
- uncared for
- use
- victimization
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Difficult situations and unpleasant experiences
torture
verb[T]
uk/ˈtɔː.tʃər/us/ˈtɔːr.tʃɚ/C2
tocausegreatphysicalormentalpainto someoneintentionally:
拷打；拷问；折磨；虐待It isclaimedthat theofficerstortured a mantodeathin acitypolicestation.据称在一所市警察局里警察将一名男子拷打致死。
to hurt someone physically
- hurtI hurt my arm climbing over the fence.
- injureThe bomb killed ten people and injured many more.
- woundHe was wounded so badly in the attack that doctors said he might never walk again.
- maimThe atrocities have killed or maimed thousands of people.
- tortureThe guards were accused of torturing prisoners.
- stabHe was fatally stabbed with a kitchen knife.
tocausementalpain:
使精神上受到折磨；使痛苦；使苦恼He tortured himselfforyearswiththethoughtthat he could havestoppedtheboyfromrunninginto theroad.他本可以阻止那个男孩跑到马路上去的想法多年来一直折磨着他。
- He was tortured inprison.
- They were tortured until theyrevealedwhere theweaponswerehidden.
- If theycatchhim, they will torture him.
- As achild, helikedto tortureinsects.
Treating people or animals badly
- abuser
- anti-harassment
- at the hands ofsomeoneidiom
- batten
- batten onsomeone
- ill-treat
- ill-treatment
- ill-used
- impose
- inflict
- pick onsomeone
- prey
- prey onsomething
- putsomeonethroughsomething
- put upon
- tyrannize
- tyranny
- uncared for
- use
- victimization
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Making people sad, shocked and upset