tortured
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: 1. Experiencing severe mental or emotional suffering: Describes a state of intense psychological distress, anguish, or torment. 2. Twisted or strained unnaturally: Can describe something (like an argument or expression) that is contorted, forced, or made unnaturally complex.
Usage
- The primary use describes a person's internal state of severe mental or emotional pain.
- It can also be used figuratively to describe artistic expressions, arguments, or styles that seem painfully strained or convoluted.
Examples
- Describing mental/emotional pain:
- She had a tortured look on her face as she recounted the story.
- He was a tortured soul, haunted by memories of the war.
- The tortured witness could barely speak through her tears.
- Describing something strained or convoluted:
- The plot of the novel was overly complex and tortured.
- He gave a tortured explanation that failed to convince anyone.
Advanced Usage
- "A tortured conscience": A conscience causing extreme guilt and remorse.
- He lived with a tortured conscience after his betrayal.
- "Tortured logic": Reasoning that is unnecessarily complicated, strained, or illogical.
- The lawyer's tortured logic confused the jury.
Variants and Related Words
- Torture (noun/verb): The act of inflicting severe pain; to inflict such pain.
- Noun: The use of torture is prohibited.
- Verb: They sought to torture him for information.
- Tormented (adjective): Very similar to "tortured," meaning suffering intensely, especially mentally.
- Anguished (adjective): Experiencing severe mental or physical pain.
Synonyms
- Tormented
- Anguished
- Agonized
- Distressed
- Harrowed
Antonyms
- Peaceful
- Untroubled
- Content
- Serene
Adjective
- experiencing intense pain especially mental pain
- an anguished conscience
- a small tormented schoolboy
- a tortured witness to another's humiliation