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B1 noun, verb #12 最常用 14分钟阅读

torment

前12

At the A1 level, 'torment' is a very difficult word because it describes complex feelings. Think of it as 'very, very bad pain' or 'feeling very sad for a long time.' If you are A1, you might not use this word often. Instead, you might say 'I have a big pain' or 'I am very sad.' However, you might hear it in stories about monsters or bad people who make others feel bad. It is like when a small bug keeps biting you and you cannot stop it—that is a little bit like torment. But usually, torment is much bigger than that. It is for when someone is very, very unhappy and cannot find a way to be happy again. It is a strong word, so we only use it for very bad things, not for small things like losing a toy.

At the A2 level, you can start to understand that 'torment' is more than just 'pain.' It is a word for suffering that lasts a long time. You can use it as a noun, like 'The heat was a torment,' meaning the heat was so bad it made you suffer. You can also use it as a verb, like 'The big dog torments the small cat.' This means the big dog is being mean to the cat over and over again. At this level, you should know that 'torment' is a very serious word. You don't use it for a small headache. You use it for things that make people cry or feel very scared for a long time. It is a good word to know for reading stories or watching movies where characters have big problems.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'torment' as both a noun and a verb in different situations. You understand that it can describe both physical pain and mental feelings. For example, you can say 'He was tormented by the memory of the accident.' This shows you understand that thoughts can cause pain just like a physical injury can. You also know that 'torment' is stronger than 'annoy' or 'bother.' If someone torments you, they are being very cruel. You might see this word in news articles about people who are suffering in wars or after natural disasters. It is a useful word for expressing deep emotions and describing serious situations in your writing and speaking.

At the B2 level, you can use 'torment' with more precision and in more abstract contexts. You understand the nuances between 'torment' and its synonyms like 'agony' or 'anguish.' You can use it to describe social or political issues, such as 'The country was tormented by years of civil war.' You are also comfortable using the passive voice, like 'She felt tormented by her own indecision.' At this level, you can use the word to add emotional weight to your arguments or descriptions. You might also recognize the word in more complex literature or academic texts where it is used to explore psychological themes. You know how to use it metaphorically, such as 'The striker tormented the defense,' to describe a high level of skill that causes frustration for others.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the word's emotional and historical connotations. You can use 'torment' to discuss complex philosophical or psychological states. For example, you might analyze how a character's 'internal torment' drives the plot of a novel. You are aware of the word's etymology and how its meaning has evolved from physical torture to include psychological distress. You can use it in formal writing to describe profound human experiences with a high degree of sophistication. You also understand how to use it in various registers, from the highly formal to the slightly more casual, while always maintaining its core sense of intensity. Your use of 'torment' is natural and well-integrated into your overall vocabulary.

At the C2 level, you use 'torment' with the mastery of a native speaker. You can appreciate the word's use in the finest works of English literature, from Shakespeare to modern novelists. You understand the subtle differences between 'torment,' 'torture,' 'excruciation,' and 'tribulation,' and you choose the perfect word for every context. You can use 'torment' to explore the most profound aspects of the human condition, such as the 'torment of existence' or 'spiritual torment.' Your ability to use the word metaphorically is highly developed, and you can employ it in complex sentence structures with ease. For you, 'torment' is a versatile tool for expressing the full range of human suffering with precision, power, and elegance.

开始练习例句笔记与提示

torment 30秒了解

Torment is a strong word for severe physical or mental suffering that is often persistent and difficult to escape.
It can be used as a noun to describe the pain itself or the thing that causes the pain.
As a verb, it means to cause someone great distress or to annoy them in a cruel and repetitive way.
The word is common in literature, news, and serious conversations to emphasize the intensity of a person's suffering.

The word torment is a powerful term used to describe extreme suffering, whether it is physical, mental, or emotional. At its core, torment implies a level of pain that is persistent and difficult to escape. When used as a noun, it refers to the state of suffering itself or the thing that causes it. For instance, a chronic illness can be a physical torment, while a guilty conscience can be a mental torment. As a verb, to torment someone means to intentionally cause them great pain or to annoy them persistently in a way that feels like torture. This word is not used for minor inconveniences; you wouldn't usually say a slow internet connection is a 'torment' unless you are being hyperbolic. Instead, it is reserved for situations of significant distress, such as the grief of losing a loved one or the physical agony of a severe injury. In historical contexts, torment often referred to literal physical torture, but in modern English, it is more frequently applied to psychological struggles, such as being tormented by anxiety, regret, or unrequited love.

Emotional Depth: Torment suggests a lingering, gnawing type of pain that erodes one's peace of mind over a long period.

The memory of his failure continued to torment him long after the event had passed.

In literature and art, torment is a recurring theme used to explore the human condition. Characters are often depicted in states of torment to evoke empathy from the audience or to illustrate the consequences of their actions. For example, in classical mythology, Prometheus was subjected to eternal torment as punishment for giving fire to humanity. This usage highlights the word's association with inescapable and profound misery. In everyday conversation, we might use the word to describe the behavior of a bully who torments a younger student, or the relentless buzzing of a mosquito that torments a camper trying to sleep. The versatility of the word allows it to bridge the gap between literal physical pain and metaphorical emotional distress. When choosing to use 'torment,' consider the intensity of the situation; it is a high-stakes word that carries significant emotional weight.

Physical vs. Mental: Physical torment involves bodily harm, while mental torment involves internal psychological distress like guilt or fear.

Waiting for the test results was a week of pure torment for the family.

The word also appears frequently in legal and human rights contexts, where 'torment' may be used to describe the treatment of prisoners or victims of abuse. In these settings, it carries a heavy moral and legal weight, implying a violation of basic human dignity. Furthermore, the word can be used in a more lighthearted, hyperbolic way among friends, such as saying, 'My little brother is tormenting me with his loud music,' though the core meaning remains rooted in the idea of persistent distress. Understanding the nuances of torment helps in expressing complex emotions and describing intense experiences accurately. It is a word that demands attention and respect because of the depth of suffering it signifies. Whether describing the 'torment of the soul' or the 'torment of the flesh,' the word remains a cornerstone of English vocabulary for articulating the darker, more difficult aspects of existence.

The fly would not stop buzzing around his head, a minor but persistent torment.

Historical Context: Historically, the word was linked to the 'tormentum,' a Roman siege engine that used torsion or twisting to fire projectiles.

He lived in constant torment after the accident, blaming himself for what happened.

The dictator used various methods to torment his political opponents.

Using torment correctly requires an understanding of its dual role as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it often follows adjectives that emphasize the intensity or duration of the suffering. Phrases like 'unbearable torment,' 'constant torment,' or 'exquisite torment' are common. For example, 'The prisoner endured years of unbearable torment.' Here, the word functions as the object of the verb 'endured,' highlighting the passivity of the sufferer. It can also be the subject of a sentence, as in 'Torment was his only companion in the dark cell.' This personification of torment adds a literary flair to the writing, suggesting that the suffering was so pervasive it felt like a presence. When using it as a noun, it is important to match it with verbs that reflect the experience of suffering, such as 'suffer,' 'endure,' 'escape,' or 'inflict.'

Noun Usage: Focus on the state of being or the source of the pain. Example: 'The heat was a literal torment.'

She described her chronic back pain as a daily torment.

As a verb, 'torment' is transitive, meaning it requires an object—the person or thing being subjected to the suffering. 'The children tormented the cat by pulling its tail' illustrates the active sense of the word. In this case, 'torment' implies a repetitive and cruel action. It is also frequently used in the passive voice: 'He was tormented by thoughts of what might have been.' The passive construction is particularly effective for describing mental or emotional states where the individual feels victimized by their own mind or by external circumstances beyond their control. When using the verb form, you can modify it with adverbs like 'relentlessly,' 'cruelly,' or 'mercilessly' to further define the nature of the action. For instance, 'The bullies relentlessly tormented him throughout middle school.'

Verb Usage: Focus on the action of causing pain. Example: 'The flies tormented the horses.'

The guilt of his secret began to torment him every night.

In more formal or academic writing, 'torment' can be used to describe abstract concepts. For example, 'The nation was tormented by civil unrest for decades.' Here, the word elevates the description of social conflict to a level of profound suffering. It is also useful in medical or psychological contexts to describe the severity of a patient's experience. 'The patient reported being tormented by vivid hallucinations.' By using 'torment' instead of 'bothered' or 'experiencing,' the writer conveys a much higher degree of distress. Additionally, the word can be used in the present participle form as an adjective: 'a tormenting thought' or 'a tormenting itch.' This usage describes something that is currently causing suffering. Understanding these different grammatical applications allows for more precise and evocative communication, ensuring that the intended level of intensity is conveyed to the reader or listener.

He could not rid himself of the tormenting suspicion that he was being followed.

Abstract Contexts: Use 'torment' to describe large-scale suffering like war, famine, or social upheaval.

The drought was a torment to the farmers who watched their crops wither.

The sound of the dripping faucet was a slow torment throughout the night.

You will encounter the word torment in a variety of settings, ranging from high-brow literature to daily news reports and even casual conversations. In literature, it is a staple for describing the internal struggles of complex characters. Think of classic novels like 'Crime and Punishment' or 'Wuthering Heights,' where the protagonists are frequently tormented by their own passions, guilt, or social circumstances. Authors use the word to signal to the reader that the character's suffering is not just a passing mood but a defining part of their existence. In poetry, 'torment' is often paired with themes of love and loss, capturing the agonizing nature of unfulfilled desire. If you are reading a gothic novel or a tragedy, you can expect to see 'torment' used to heighten the atmosphere of gloom and despair.

Literary Usage: Used to describe deep psychological or spiritual suffering in novels and poems.

Shakespeare's characters often speak of the torment of a divided heart.

In the realm of news and journalism, 'torment' is frequently used in human interest stories or reports on conflict. You might read about the 'torment of families' waiting for news of missing loved ones after a natural disaster, or the 'torment of refugees' fleeing war-torn regions. In these contexts, the word serves to humanize the statistics, reminding the audience of the real, lived experience of suffering. It is also common in legal reporting, particularly in cases involving harassment, stalking, or domestic abuse, where the victim's experience is described as a 'prolonged torment.' Journalists choose this word because it conveys a sense of gravity and urgency that 'trouble' or 'difficulty' simply cannot match. It evokes a visceral response from the reader, encouraging empathy and awareness.

Journalistic Usage: Used to highlight the human cost of news events and to describe severe victimization.

The documentary detailed the torment of those living under the oppressive regime.

In everyday speech, 'torment' is often used more loosely, but still with a sense of persistent annoyance. Parents might say their children are 'tormenting each other' in the backseat of a car, or a student might joke that their upcoming exams are a 'torment.' While these uses are less intense than the literary or journalistic ones, they still rely on the core idea of something being difficult to endure. You'll also hear it in the context of sports, where a particularly skilled player might 'torment the defense' of the opposing team, meaning they are making life very difficult for them through their superior play. Finally, in religious or philosophical discussions, 'torment' is often used to describe the state of the soul in various versions of the afterlife, such as the 'eternal torment' mentioned in many theological traditions. This wide range of applications makes 'torment' a versatile and essential word in the English lexicon.

The striker continued to torment the goalkeeper with powerful shots from outside the box.

Casual & Sports Usage: Used hyperbolically to describe persistent annoyance or superior performance that frustrates an opponent.

'Stop tormenting your sister!' their mother shouted from the kitchen.

The poet wrote about the torment of an unrequited love that never faded.

One of the most common mistakes when using torment is failing to match the word's intensity with the situation being described. Because 'torment' implies severe suffering, using it for minor problems can sound exaggerated or even silly. For example, saying 'I was in torment because I forgot my umbrella' is usually an overstatement, unless the resulting rain caused a truly disastrous outcome. A better word for minor issues would be 'annoyance,' 'frustration,' or 'inconvenience.' To avoid this, reserve 'torment' for situations that involve deep emotional pain, chronic physical suffering, or persistent, cruel treatment. Another mistake is confusing 'torment' with 'torture.' While they are related, 'torture' often implies a more systematic, often physical, infliction of pain, usually by someone in a position of power. 'Torment' is broader and can be self-inflicted (like guilt) or caused by non-human factors (like a disease or a recurring thought).

Intensity Mismatch: Avoid using 'torment' for trivial things like a slow computer or a missing sock.

Incorrect: 'It was a torment to wait five minutes for my coffee.' Correct: 'It was a minor annoyance to wait for my coffee.'

Grammatically, learners sometimes struggle with the preposition that follows 'torment' when it is used as a verb. It is common to say someone is 'tormented by' something, such as 'tormented by doubt' or 'tormented by mosquitoes.' Using other prepositions like 'with' or 'from' is less common and often sounds unnatural. For example, 'He was tormented from his past' is incorrect; it should be 'He was tormented by his past.' Additionally, when using 'torment' as a noun, it is often preceded by 'in,' as in 'He was in torment.' Some learners mistakenly use 'under' or 'at,' which are incorrect in this context. Precision with prepositions is key to sounding like a native speaker and ensuring your meaning is clear.

Confusing with 'Tease': 'Tease' is often playful; 'torment' is always serious and often cruel.

The older boys didn't just tease him; they began to torment him daily.

Finally, be careful with the word's spelling and pronunciation. The noun and verb are spelled the same but can have different stress patterns depending on the dialect, though in modern English, the stress is usually on the first syllable for the noun (TOR-ment) and can shift slightly for the verb, though many speakers keep it on the first syllable for both. Confusing 'torment' with 'torrent' (a fast-moving stream of water) is another rare but possible mistake. While they sound somewhat similar, their meanings are entirely different. To avoid this, remember that 'torment' is about pain, while 'torrent' is about flow. By being mindful of these common pitfalls—intensity, prepositions, and similar-sounding words—you can use 'torment' with confidence and accuracy in any situation.

Don't confuse torment (pain) with torrent (a rush of water).

Overuse: If you use 'torment' too often, it loses its power. Save it for the big stuff.

He was tormented by the decision, unable to sleep for weeks.

The torment of the refugees was evident in their tired eyes.

When 'torment' doesn't quite fit, there are several other words you can use to describe suffering or the act of causing it. Agony is a great alternative when you want to emphasize extreme physical or mental pain, often of a more acute or sudden nature. While 'torment' suggests a long-lasting state, 'agony' often implies a peak of suffering. For example, 'He was in agony after breaking his leg.' Anguish is another powerful word, specifically used for severe mental or emotional pain, often related to grief or extreme worry. You might speak of the 'anguish of a grieving mother.' Unlike 'torment,' 'anguish' is rarely used for physical pain or as a verb to describe annoying someone.

Torment vs. Agony: Torment is often long-term and persistent; agony is often intense and immediate.

The agony of the injury was visible on his face.

If you are looking for a word that describes the act of causing distress, harass or persecute might be more appropriate depending on the context. 'Harass' implies persistent and unwanted attention or pressure, often in a social or professional setting. It is less intense than 'torment' and often focuses on the annoyance factor. 'Persecute,' on the other hand, implies systematic mistreatment, often based on race, religion, or political beliefs. It is a much more specific and formal word than 'torment.' For instance, 'The minority group was persecuted by the government.' This word carries a historical and political weight that 'torment' lacks, though a persecuted person is certainly being tormented.

Torment vs. Anguish: Anguish is almost exclusively emotional; torment can be both physical and emotional.

The anguish of losing his home was more than he could bear.

Other synonyms include distress, misery, and woe. 'Distress' is a general term for suffering or danger, often used in emergency contexts like a 'distress signal.' 'Misery' describes a state of great unhappiness or poverty, focusing on the overall condition of a person's life. 'Woe' is a more archaic or literary term for great sorrow or misfortune, often used in the plural 'woes' to describe a series of problems. Each of these words offers a slightly different nuance, allowing you to choose the one that best fits the specific type of suffering you want to describe. By expanding your vocabulary with these alternatives, you can avoid overusing 'torment' and make your writing more precise and engaging.

The misery of the famine affected millions of people.

Other Alternatives: Consider 'affliction' for a cause of persistent pain or 'tribulation' for a state of great trouble.

They faced many tribulations during their long journey across the desert.

The distress call was heard by a nearby ship.

How Formal Is It?

正式

中性

非正式

Child friendly

俚语

趣味小知识

The word is related to 'torque' and 'torture' because they all come from the Latin root 'torquere', which means 'to twist'.

发音指南

UK /ˈtɔː.ment/

US /ˈtɔːr.ment/

Primary stress is on the first syllable (TOR-ment).

押韵词

Dormant Abhorrent (near rhyme) Torrent (near rhyme) Current (near rhyme) Parent (near rhyme) Inherent (near rhyme) Apparent (near rhyme) Different (near rhyme)

常见错误

Pronouncing it like 'torrent'.
Putting the stress on the second syllable for the noun.
Missing the 'r' sound in American English.
Confusing the 'o' sound with 'u'.
Not making the 't' at the end clear.

难度评级

阅读 3/5

Common in literature and news, but has a specific intensity.

写作 4/5

Requires careful use to avoid sounding hyperbolic.

口语 3/5

Useful for expressing strong emotions or describing serious events.

听力 3/5

Clearly pronounced, but context is key to understanding the level of pain.

接下来学什么

前置知识

Pain Sad Bad Mean Bother

接下来学习

Agony Anguish Persecute Affliction Tribulation

高级

Existential dread Psychological trauma Systemic oppression Redemption Catharsis

需要掌握的语法

Passive Voice with 'By'

He was tormented by his thoughts.

Transitive Verbs

The bully torments the younger kids.

Noun as Subject

Torment was his only friend.

Adjective placement

The unbearable torment of the heat.

Prepositional phrases

She was in deep torment.

按水平分级的例句

The big bad giant was a torment to the village.

The giant made the village very unhappy.

Noun usage.

The mosquitoes torment the boy at night.

The bugs bite the boy many times.

Verb usage.

He was in torment because he lost his dog.

He was very, very sad.

Noun after 'in'.

The hot sun was a torment to the travelers.

The sun made them suffer.

Noun usage.

Don't torment the little kitten!

Don't be mean to the kitten.

Imperative verb.

The loud noise is a torment to my ears.

The noise hurts my ears.

Noun usage.

The bad man liked to torment people.

He liked to make people suffer.

Infinitive verb.

Her toothache was a real torment.

Her tooth hurt very much.

Noun usage.

The long wait at the airport was a torment.

Waiting was very difficult.

Noun usage.

The bullies would torment him every day after school.

They were mean to him repeatedly.

Verb usage.

She was tormented by the loud music next door.

The music made her suffer.

Passive voice.

The flies torment the cows in the field.

The flies bother the cows a lot.

Present tense verb.

His guilt was a constant torment to him.

He felt bad all the time.

Noun usage with adjective.

The cold wind was a torment to the homeless man.

The wind made him suffer.

Noun usage.

Why do you torment your brother so much?

Why are you so mean to him?

Question form.

The itchy rash was a torment all night.

The rash was very bad.

Noun usage.

He was tormented by the memory of his mistake.

He couldn't stop thinking about it.

Passive voice with 'by'.

The prisoner endured years of mental torment.

He suffered in his mind for a long time.

Noun usage with adjective.

The drought was a torment to the farmers in the region.

The lack of rain caused great suffering.

Noun usage.

She didn't want to torment him with more bad news.

She didn't want to cause him more pain.

Infinitive verb.

The sound of the dripping tap was a slow torment.

It was very annoying over time.

Noun usage.

He was tormented by a recurring nightmare.

He had the same bad dream often.

Passive voice.

The loss of his job was a great torment to him.

Losing his job made him suffer.

Noun usage.

The insects tormented the hikers throughout the trip.

The bugs bothered them the whole time.

Past tense verb.

The country was tormented by decades of political instability.

The country suffered for a long time.

Passive voice with abstract subject.

He lived in a state of constant torment after the betrayal.

He was always suffering after being lied to.

Noun in a prepositional phrase.

The striker tormented the defense with his incredible speed.

He made it very hard for the other team.

Metaphorical verb usage.

She was tormented by the choice she had to make.

The decision was very painful for her.

Passive voice.

The disease was a physical torment that never seemed to end.

The illness caused non-stop pain.

Noun usage.

He used his power to torment those who disagreed with him.

He was cruel to his opponents.

Infinitive verb.

The silence in the house was a torment to the widow.

The quiet made her feel her loss more.

Noun usage.

The memory of the war continued to torment the veteran.

The veteran still suffered from his memories.

Active verb with abstract subject.

The protagonist's internal torment is the central theme of the novel.

The character's inner suffering is very important.

Noun usage in a literary context.

He was tormented by the existential dread of his own mortality.

He suffered from thinking about death.

Passive voice with complex object.

The regime's use of torment against dissidents was widely condemned.

The government's cruelty was criticized.

Noun usage in a formal context.

She found a strange kind of torment in her unrequited love.

Her love for someone who didn't love her back was painful.

Noun usage with adjective.

The artist sought to capture the torment of the human soul in his paintings.

He wanted to show deep suffering in his art.

Noun usage.

He was tormented by the suspicion that his colleagues were plotting against him.

He suffered because he thought people were being mean.

Passive voice with a 'that' clause.

The drought brought a torment of thirst to the isolated community.

The lack of water caused great suffering.

Noun usage with 'of'.

The relentless questioning by the police was a torment to the suspect.

The many questions made the suspect suffer.

Noun usage.

The poem explores the exquisite torment of a heart divided by duty and desire.

The poem is about a very painful but deep feeling.

Noun usage with sophisticated adjective.

He was tormented by the haunting echoes of his past transgressions.

He suffered from memories of his bad actions.

Passive voice with metaphorical language.

The philosopher argued that the awareness of one's own limitations is a form of torment.

Knowing what you can't do is a kind of suffering.

Noun usage in an abstract argument.

The play depicts the slow, agonizing torment of a soul lost in its own delusions.

The play shows someone suffering from their own false ideas.

Noun usage with multiple adjectives.

He seemed to take a perverse pleasure in tormenting his intellectual rivals.

He liked making his smart enemies suffer.

Gerund usage.

The silence of the vast, empty landscape was a torment to his restless spirit.

The empty place made him feel bad.

Noun usage with metaphorical language.

The weight of his responsibilities was a constant torment that he could never escape.

His many jobs made him suffer all the time.

Noun usage with a relative clause.

She was tormented by the knowledge that she could have prevented the tragedy.

Knowing she could have helped made her suffer.

Passive voice with a 'that' clause.

常见搭配

Mental torment

Physical torment

Unbearable torment

Constant torment

Tormented by doubt

Tormented by guilt

Pure torment

To endure torment

To inflict torment

Exquisite torment

常用短语

In torment

A source of torment

To be tormented by memories

To torment someone's soul

A life of torment

To escape the torment

To be in mental torment

To torment the defense

To be tormented by a question

To inflict mental torment

容易混淆的词

torment vs Torrent

A torrent is a fast stream of water; torment is suffering.

torment vs Torture

Torture is usually physical and systematic; torment is broader and can be mental.

torment vs Tease

Teasing is often lighthearted; tormenting is always serious and cruel.

习语与表达

"A soul in torment"

A person who is suffering deeply, often emotionally or spiritually.

He looked like a soul in torment as he walked the streets alone.

Literary

"To be on the rack"

To be in a state of great suffering or anxiety (referring to an old torment instrument).

Waiting for the verdict, he felt like he was on the rack.

Idiomatic

"To go through hell"

To experience a period of extreme suffering or torment.

She went through hell during her divorce.

Informal

"To be a thorn in one's side"

To be a constant source of annoyance or minor torment.

That old legal case has been a thorn in my side for years.

Idiomatic

"To drive someone crazy"

To torment someone with persistent annoyance.

That noise is driving me crazy!

Informal

"To be at one's wits' end"

To be so tormented by problems that one doesn't know what to do.

With three sick kids, she was at her wits' end.

Idiomatic

"To carry the weight of the world"

To be tormented by many responsibilities or worries.

He looks like he's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Idiomatic

"To be haunted by the past"

To be tormented by memories of previous events.

The old man was haunted by the past.

Neutral

"To twist the knife"

To make someone's torment or pain worse, often intentionally.

He knew she was sad, but he twisted the knife by mentioning her ex.

Idiomatic

"To be in the pits"

To be in a state of great misery or torment.

After losing his job, he was really in the pits.

Slang

容易混淆

torment vs Torture

Both involve pain.

Torture is more specific and often physical/intentional. Torment is more general and can be internal.

The interrogation was torture; his guilt was torment.

torment vs Agony

Both mean extreme pain.

Agony is often more acute and physical. Torment is often more persistent and mental.

He was in agony from the wound; he was in torment from the loss.

torment vs Anguish

Both mean mental pain.

Anguish is specifically emotional/mental. Torment can be physical too.

The anguish of grief; the torment of a toothache.

torment vs Harass

Both mean to bother someone.

Harass is less intense and more about annoyance. Torment is much more severe.

The flies harassed the hikers; the bully tormented the child.

torment vs Affliction

Both mean suffering.

Affliction is often a condition or cause. Torment is the experience of the pain.

His affliction was blindness; his torment was the loneliness it caused.

句型

The [noun] is a torment.

The noise is a torment.

Don't torment the [noun]!

Don't torment the dog!

[Person] was tormented by [noun].

He was tormented by guilt.

The [noun] was a source of torment to [person].

The secret was a source of torment to her.

[Person] lived in a state of [adjective] torment.

She lived in a state of constant torment.

The [adjective] torment of [noun] is [adjective].

The exquisite torment of love is undeniable.

To endure the torment of [noun].

To endure the torment of the desert.

To torment [someone] with [noun].

To torment him with questions.

词族

名词

动词

形容词

如何使用

frequency

Common in literature and news; moderate in daily speech.

常见错误

Using 'torment' for minor issues. → I was annoyed by the delay.
Torment is for severe suffering, not small inconveniences.
Saying 'tormented from'. → He was tormented by his past.
The correct preposition to use with the verb 'torment' is 'by'.
Confusing 'torment' with 'torrent'. → The rain was a torrent.
A torrent is a rush of water; torment is a state of suffering.
Using 'under torment'. → He was in torment.
When using the noun to describe a state of being, 'in' is the correct preposition.
Stress on the second syllable for the noun. → TOR-ment
The primary stress should be on the first syllable.

小贴士

Match the Intensity

Only use 'torment' for situations that involve significant suffering. Using it for small things can make your writing seem overly dramatic.

Passive Voice

The passive form 'to be tormented by' is very common and useful for describing mental states like guilt or doubt.

Use Synonyms

If 'torment' feels too strong, try 'annoyance' or 'distress'. If it feels too weak, try 'agony' or 'torture'.

Stress the First Syllable

Always put the emphasis on 'TOR' when saying the word to sound natural in English.

Show, Don't Tell

Instead of just saying a character is in torment, describe their actions, like not being able to sleep or pacing the room.

Context Clues

Pay attention to the situation. In sports, 'torment' is often a positive way to describe a very good player.

Literary Themes

When you see 'torment' in a book, it's often a clue to the character's deeper problems or the story's main themes.

Religious Context

Be aware that 'torment' often appears in religious discussions about the afterlife.

Metaphorical Use

Don't be afraid to use 'torment' metaphorically, like 'the wind tormented the trees,' to create a stronger image.

Mnemonic Device

Think of 'torment' as a 'mental tornado' to remember its meaning and intensity.

记住它

记忆技巧

Think of a 'TOR-nado' in your 'MENT-al' state. A tornado of bad thoughts is a torment.

视觉联想

Imagine a person being pulled in different directions by ropes, representing the 'twisting' origin of the word.

Word Web

Pain Suffering Guilt Torture Bully Agony Anguish Distress

挑战

Try to use 'torment' in a sentence about a character in a book you are reading.

词源

From Old French 'torment', from Latin 'tormentum', which means an instrument of torture or a twisting force.

原始含义： The word originally referred to a Roman engine of war that used twisted ropes to fire stones, and later to physical torture.

Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > French > English.

文化背景

Be careful when using 'torment' to describe someone's actual suffering; it is a very strong word.

The word is common in classic English literature like Shakespeare and Dickens.

Dante's Inferno Prometheus Unbound Crime and Punishment

在生活中练习

真实语境

Personal Feelings

Tormented by guilt
Mental torment
In a state of torment
To suffer torment

Literature

Internal torment
A soul in torment
Exquisite torment
To endure torment

News/Legal

To torment victims
Physical torment
Years of torment
To inflict torment

Sports

To torment the defense
A tormenting run
To torment the goalkeeper
A torment to the opposition

Everyday Life

To torment a sibling
A source of torment
Tormented by flies
To escape the torment

对话开场白

"Have you ever read a book where the main character is in constant torment?"

"What do you think is the biggest torment for a student during exam season?"

"Is it fair to say that some sports players really torment their opponents?"

"How do people usually try to escape mental torment like guilt or worry?"

"Do you think 'torment' is too strong a word for a bad headache?"

日记主题

Describe a time when you felt a sense of torment, either physical or mental. What caused it?

Write about a fictional character who is tormented by a secret. How does it change them?

Do you think modern life creates new types of torment that didn't exist in the past?

How would you describe the difference between 'annoyance' and 'torment' to a friend?

Write a poem or a short story titled 'The Torment of the Unknown'.

常见问题

10 个问题

Usually, no. It almost always refers to suffering. However, in literature, phrases like 'exquisite torment' are used to describe the bittersweet pain of love, which some might find meaningful or beautiful in a strange way.

Yes, it is quite common, especially in books, news, and movies. You will hear it whenever people are talking about serious suffering or someone being very mean to another person.

Intensity. 'Annoy' is for small things, like a fly. 'Torment' is for big things, like a bully or a very painful memory. You wouldn't say a fly 'torments' you unless it's been bothering you for hours and you're very upset.

Yes, absolutely. You can say 'The pain in my back was a constant torment.' It means the pain was very bad and lasted a long time.

It can be used in both formal and informal settings. In a legal report, it's formal. If you're talking about your little brother, it's more informal and maybe a bit exaggerated.

The stress is on the first syllable: TOR-ment. The 'or' sounds like the word 'or' or the sound in 'door'.

It means that a person feels so bad about something they did that it causes them constant mental suffering. They can't stop thinking about it and it makes them very unhappy.

Yes, animals can experience both physical and mental torment. For example, a dog left alone in a small cage for a long time might experience mental torment.

A tormentor is a person or thing that causes torment. For example, a bully is a tormentor to their victims.

Yes, they come from the same Latin root meaning 'to twist'. Torture is usually more physical and systematic, while torment is a broader term for suffering.