tormentor
/tɔ:mentə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A person who causes severe physical or mental suffering to others: Someone who deliberately inflicts pain, distress, or harassment.
- A flat piece of scenery at the side of a stage: A tall, narrow screen or curtain positioned on either side of a stage, used to block the audience's view of the backstage or wing areas.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Person):
- The bully was a relentless tormentor to the younger children.
- In the story, the villain is the tormentor of the innocent hero.
- Noun (Stage Equipment):
- The stagehand moved the tormentor to adjust the sightlines for the audience.
- The actor waited behind the tormentor for his cue to enter.
Advanced Usage
- "To be one's own tormentor": To cause one's own suffering through worry, guilt, or negative thoughts.
- With his constant anxiety about the future, he was his own worst tormentor.
Variants and Related Words
- Torment (noun/verb): Severe physical or mental suffering; to cause such suffering.
- The memory was a constant torment to her.
- He was tormented by doubts.
- Tormenting (adjective): Causing torment.
- She stopped the tormenting noise.
- Tormentress (noun): A female tormentor.
Synonyms
- Persecutor: One who harasses or oppresses others, especially for their beliefs.
- Torturer: One who inflicts severe pain.
- Harasser: One who annoys or troubles someone persistently.
Related Phrases
- The tormentor and the tormented: A phrase describing the classic dynamic between an oppressor and a victim.
- The novel explores the complex relationship between the tormentor and the tormented.
Related Idioms
- To play the tormentor: To take on the role of someone who causes trouble or suffering.
- He seemed to enjoy playing the tormentor during the debate.
Noun
- a flat at each side of the stage to prevent the audience from seeing into the wings
- someone who torments