torture

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)The infliction of severe pain or anguish, especially as an interrogation technique or punishment; (usually in the plural) a technique, method, or device which is designed to inflict such anguish.

   “People confess to anything under torture.”

   “Using large dogs to attack bound, hand-cuffed prisoners is clearly torture.”

   “What new tortures await me?”

   “If Cheney calls it enhanced interrogation, he argues, this still doesn’t change the meaning of the word torture, which Cheney and the public know perfectly well. But cognitive linguists like Lakoff (1996) remind us that the public can be manipulated into believing that torture is “merely” an enhanced interrogation technique and thus does not protest.”

   “Santorum, in a comment regarding Senator John McCain's repudiation of torture, stated, "He doesn't understand how enhanced interrogation works. I mean, you break somebody, and after they've broken they become cooperative" (Summers 2011).”

2. (countable, in-compounds, uncountable)The infliction of severe pain or anguish, especially as an interrogation technique or punishment; (usually in the plural) a technique, method, or device which is designed to inflict such anguish.

   “cock and ball torture”

   “tickle torture”

3. (countable, uncountable)Severe pain or anguish, of mind or body.
4. (countable, uncountable)An unpleasant sensation or its infliction: embarrassment, heartache, etc.

   “Every time she says 'goodbye' it is torture!”

   “Coventry City midfielder Josh Ruffels described his 11 months out injured as 'absolute torture' after the goalless draw with Derby County Under-21s. (http://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/article/eleven-months-of-absolute-torture-760652.aspx)”

verb

1. (transitive)To intentionally inflict severe pain or suffering on (someone), usually with the aim of forcing confessions or punishing them.

   “People who torture often have sadistic tendencies.”