Torments: Definition and Synonyms
torments – Definition and Part of Speech
The word torments can function as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to severe physical or mental suffering caused by injury, disease, imprisonment, or psychological manipulation. When used as a verb, “to torment” means to cause intense physical or mental suffering to someone.
Noun: Torments
- Definition: Intense pain, either physical or emotional.
- Example: The prisoner faced many torments during his captivity.
Verb: To Torment
- Definition: To inflict severe physical or mental suffering on.
- Example: The bully continued to torment the new student for weeks.
Core Synonyms (Table Format)
Below is a table of synonyms with brief definitions, example sentences, and their typical styles or registers:
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agonies | Intense physical or mental pain | “He endured agonies during the surgery.” | Formal/Academic |
| Pains | Discomfort, especially persistent | “She suffered daily pains from her chronic condition.” | Informal/Casual |
| Afflictions | Troubles or illnesses causing suffering | “The old man faced numerous afflictions in his life.” | Literary/Reflective |
| Tortures | Severe physical or mental suffering | “Her mind was a battlefield of tortures and fears.” | Dramatic/Creative |
| Torments | (as verb) To cause severe distress | “The harsh words tormented him for days.” | Formal/Informal |
Usage Notes
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Agonies: Best suited for formal or academic contexts, especially when describing situations of extreme suffering. For instance, medical reports might frequently use this term.
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Pains: Commonly used in both everyday conversation and informal writing to describe ongoing discomforts or challenges without the severe connotation of other synonyms.
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Afflictions: Often found in more reflective or literary contexts, indicating a broader range of troubles beyond physical suffering, including social or emotional difficulties.
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Tortures: Suitable for creative or dramatic narratives where there is a need to emphasize extreme distress and its impact on individuals, often used metaphorically.
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Torments (Verb): Versatile across various registers; it can be used formally to describe psychological or emotional suffering and informally in casual speech about personal distress.
Common Pitfalls
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Confusion with ‘Pains’: While “pains” can sometimes mean the same as “torments,” they are often used for less intense discomfort, such as headaches or minor aches, whereas “torments” imply severity.
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Overuse of ‘Tortures’: The term can sound dramatic and might be misused in contexts that require more understated descriptions.
Final Recap
To effectively expand your vocabulary when discussing suffering, consider the intensity and context in which you use words like agonies, pains, afflictions, tortures, or torments. Each offers a subtle nuance: “agonies” suggests extreme severity, “pains” are more general discomforts, “afflictions” denote broader troubles, and both “tortures” and the verb form of “torments” highlight intense mental or emotional distress.
Practice Tips
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Try substituting these synonyms in your writing to observe how they change the tone or intensity.
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Experiment using them in conversation; it can help you become more comfortable with their nuances.
By understanding and utilizing these synonyms effectively, you can convey the depth and nature of suffering more precisely across different contexts.