WordGarden.iotormentor
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /tɔːmˈɛntɔː/
US
- /ˈtɔrˌmɛntər/
Meanings
Noun
a person who causes someone severe mental or physical suffering
Beyond the definition
A tormentor isn't just someone who annoys you—they actively cause suffering. Think of the classic villain in a story, relentlessly making life miserable for the hero. A tormentor delights in inflicting pain, whether through physical harm, cruel words, or constant harassment. Sometimes, inner demons can be our own worst tormentors, constantly nagging at us with self-doubt and fear. The word often carries a sense of prolonged, deliberate cruelty.
Consider the story of Iago from Othello. He doesn't simply dislike Cassio; he actively torments Othello by manipulating him into believing lies about Desdemona, causing immense emotional pain. Or think of a schoolyard bully who consistently picks on a weaker student—that bully is a tormentor.
The word "tormentor" describes a person, thing, or force that causes severe physical or mental suffering. It goes beyond simple annoyance or teasing. It suggests intense pain, repeated distress, or cruel treatment. In many cases, it also implies deliberate harm. The root comes from the Latin tormentum, meaning "torture" or "affliction."
A tormentor is not always a physically threatening person. They can be a subtle manipulator who spreads rumors or uses someone's weak points to cause emotional pain. In older usage, "tormentor" could also mean an instrument of torture, a device made to inflict pain. This older sense strengthens the core idea of the word: something that brings anguish and suffering.
The word often appears in stories when describing villains or antagonists who enjoy the misery of others. Think of Iago in Othello, whose lies destroy Othello's peace of mind, or a bully who keeps targeting the same victim day after day. The term can also be used more broadly for things that keep causing pain. A painful memory, strong guilt, or constant fear may be described as a tormentor when they keep troubling someone's mind.
Whether it is a cruel person, a painful memory, or an inner struggle, a tormentor is something that keeps causing suffering over time. The word is strongest when it suggests deep, lasting pain rather than a brief annoyance.
Examples
- 1
School bullying
At school, he stayed close to his friends to avoid his tormentor.
- 2
Survivor accounts
In the documentary, survivors spoke calmly about the tormentors they had once feared.
- 3
Childhood confrontation
The novel follows a girl who grows up and finally confronts her childhood tormentor.
- 4
Lasting memory
Even after she changed jobs, her old manager remained a tormentor in her mind.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- childhood tormentor
- schoolyard tormentor
- chief tormentor
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- tormentornoun
Forms
- tormentorspluralnoun