torment

Everyday

1. (noun) Great pain or suffering, in body or mind. tree →
2. (noun) A person or thing that causes great suffering or annoyance. tree →
3. (verb) To make someone suffer badly. tree →
4. (verb) To tease or annoy someone (or an animal) on purpose, again and again. tree →

In the lessons

In stories «torment» shows deep suffering or a cruel character: a bully torments younger children. In everyday life «stop tormenting your sister» means stop teasing her. In school rules tormenting animals or people is never allowed. Phrases: «in torment», «torment someone», «tormented by».

Examples

• Stop tormenting the cat! tree →
• The bully tormented the younger children. tree →
• She was tormented by doubt before the test. tree →
• The mosquitoes were a torment all night. tree →
• The prisoner lived in torment. tree →
• My brother torments me by hiding my things. tree →
• The thought of the exam tormented him. tree →
• "Now," said the lank grey beggarman, "I'll torment you no longer. tree →

Note

Stress differs: noun «TOR-ment», verb «tor-MENT». Person: «tormentor». It is stronger than «tease». Tormenting people or animals is cruel; tell an adult if someone is being tormented.

In Jewish tradition

In stories «torment» shows deep suffering or a cruel character: a bully torments younger children. In everyday life «stop tormenting your sister» means stop teasing her. In school rules tormenting animals or people is never allowed. Phrases: «in torment», «torment someone», «tormented by».

Note

Stress differs: noun «TOR-ment», verb «tor-MENT». Person: «tormentor». It is stronger than «tease». Tormenting people or animals is cruel; tell an adult if someone is being tormented.