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noun

tormentor

taw-MEHN-tuh

Tormentor (noun) means a person, animal, or thing that causes ongoing suffering or distress. Example: “His younger brother was his childhood tormentor.”

noun
1
A person, animal, or thing that causes ongoing suffering or distress.
"His younger brother was his childhood tormentor."
"The heat was the runners' biggest tormentor that afternoon."
2
In theatre, one of a pair of narrow curtains just behind the front curtain that hides the sides of the stage from the audience.
"The stagehand adjusted the tormentors before the lights came up."

How to use tormentor

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone or something that keeps causing you pain, stress, or misery.

Common pairings
childhood tormentor chief tormentor his old tormentor

Word forms

tormentors plural

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His younger brother was his childhood _____.

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman tourmentour, going back to Old French tormenteor — the same root as "torment."

Origin: Old French

teaser tormenter persecutor

Related words

Rhymes for tormentor

See all rhymes for tormentor →

Frequently asked questions

What does “tormentor” mean?

The word “tormentor” means a person, animal, or thing that causes ongoing suffering or distress. In plain terms, someone or something that keeps causing you pain, stress, or misery.

How do you pronounce “tormentor”?

“Tormentor” is pronounced taw-MEHN-tuh (/tɔɹˈmɛn.tɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “tormentor” in a sentence?

Here is “tormentor” used in a sentence: “His younger brother was his childhood tormentor.”

What part of speech is “tormentor”?

“Tormentor” is a noun.

Where does the word “tormentor” come from?

The word “tormentor” comes from Old French. From Anglo-Norman tourmentour, going back to Old French tormenteor — the same root as "torment.".

How many meanings does “tormentor” have?

“Tormentor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person, animal, or thing that causes ongoing suffering or distress.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial