tormenter

Thân thiện

A student feels upset by a persistent tormenter in the hallway.

Definition

Noun: 1. A person who causes severe physical or mental suffering to another: Someone who inflicts pain, anguish, or harassment. 2. (Theater) A flat at each side of the stage to prevent the audience from seeing into the wings: A piece of stage scenery used to hide the backstage area from the audience's view.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Person):
  • The bully was a relentless tormenter to the younger children.
  • In the story, the hero finally confronted his tormenter.
• Noun (Theater):
  • The actor waited behind the tormenter for his cue to enter.

Advanced Usage

• The term often implies a sustained, deliberate, and cruel infliction of suffering, rather than a single act.
• In literature and drama, a can be a central antagonist whose actions drive the protagonist's suffering.

Variants and Related Words

• Torment (noun/verb): The act or means of causing severe suffering, or to cause such suffering.
  • The noise was a constant torment. (noun)
  • He was tormented by guilt. (verb)
• Tormentor (noun): An alternative, more common spelling for (person).
• Tormentress (noun): A female tormenter (less common).

Synonyms

• Persecutor: One who oppresses or harasses, especially for reasons of race, religion, or beliefs.
• Torturer: One who inflicts severe physical pain.
• Harasser: One who annoys or bothers persistently.
• Bully: A person who uses strength or power to intimidate others.

Related Phrases

• To be someone's tormenter: To be the specific person causing another's suffering.
  • He became her chief tormenter at school.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a flat at each side of the stage to prevent the audience from seeing into the wings
2. someone who torments

Từ đồng nghĩa

• tormentor
• teaser
• persecutor