torture

/ˈtȯr-chər/

Middle French, from Old French, from Late Latin tortura, from Latin tortus, past participle of torquēre to twist; probably akin to Old High German drāhsil turner, Greek atraktos spindle

noun

  1. the infliction of intense pain (as from burning, crushing, or wounding) to punish, coerce, or afford sadistic pleasure

  2. something that causes agony or pain

  3. anguish of body or mind : agony

verb

  1. to cause intense suffering to : torment

  2. to punish or coerce by inflicting excruciating pain

  3. to twist or wrench out of shape : distort, warp

afflict try torment torture rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear. afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress. try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

noun

  1. the act or an instance of torturing oneself psychologically

  2. the infliction of intense pain on oneself

Guilt is a merciless instrument of self-torture.