adj
Common
tortured
TAWT-shuhd
Tortured (adj) means showing the effects of great suffering or inner turmoil. Example: “The artist was known for his tortured, restless genius.”
adj
1
Showing the effects of great suffering or inner turmoil.
"The artist was known for his tortured, restless genius."
"Her tortured expression revealed how much the decision cost her."
"The poet's tortured face showed how deeply the loss still hurt him."
2
Awkwardly overcomplicated, especially describing writing or reasoning.
"The essay was full of tortured sentences that were hard to follow."
"His tortured explanation left the whole class more confused than before."
"Avoid tortured phrasing in emails, because simple wording is easier to read."
How to use tortured
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDeeply troubled or anguished, or (of writing) painfully convoluted.
Common pairings
tortured soul
tortured logic
tortured prose
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more tortured
- Superlative
- most tortured
Fill the gap
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The artist was known for his _____, restless genius.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for tortured
uncured
figured
injured
assured
secured
insured
scoured
coloured
captured
favoured
measured
honoured
See all rhymes for tortured →
Frequently asked questions
What does “tortured” mean?
The word “tortured” means showing the effects of great suffering or inner turmoil. In plain terms, deeply troubled or anguished, or (of writing) painfully convoluted.
How do you pronounce “tortured”?
“Tortured” is pronounced TAWT-shuhd (/ˈtɔɹt͡ʃɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “tortured” in a sentence?
Here is “tortured” used in a sentence: “The artist was known for his tortured, restless genius.”
What part of speech is “tortured”?
“Tortured” is an adjective.
Is “tortured” a common word?
“Tortured” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tortured” have?
“Tortured” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: showing the effects of great suffering or inner turmoil.
What is the difference between "tortured" and "tormented"?
"Tortured" describes showing the effects of great suffering or inner turmoil, often used for a person's expression, past, or emotional state, as in "a tortured artist." "Tormented" carries a similar sense of ongoing mental anguish, but "tortured" more strongly evokes visible, lasting marks of that suffering.
What does it mean to call writing or reasoning "tortured"?
When applied to writing or logic, "tortured" means awkwardly overcomplicated, twisted, or strained to the point of being hard to follow. A "tortured argument," for example, is one that has been forced into an unnatural or convoluted shape to reach its conclusion.
Is "tortured" always used negatively?
Yes, "tortured" carries a negative or difficult connotation in both senses, whether describing a person's inner suffering or the strained quality of writing and reasoning. It signals distress or unnatural complexity rather than anything positive.
