tortures
Causes extreme suffering
Tortures is the plural of torture—instances of inflicting severe pain as punishment, coercion, or cruelty: The tortures of the Inquisition are well documented.
As a verb, tortures means causes extreme suffering: The uncertainty tortures him.
Extended uses cover any source of anguish: the tortures of unrequited love, the tortures of a guilty conscience.
Controlled asphyxiation interrogation technique
- rackFrame for holding items
- thumbscrewCompression torture device
- iron maidenSpike-lined torture cabinet
- floggingBeating as punishment
branding · electrocution · sleep deprivation · stress positions · sensory deprivation · whipping · bastinado · burning
Extreme physical or emotional pain
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
- painBodily or emotional distress
- miseryIntense prolonged distress
distress · trauma · despair · grief · affliction · ordeal · heartache · woe
Formal, probing examination
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- detentionTemporary official holding
- imprisonmentLegal detention in jail
prosecution · war crimes · Geneva Convention · human rights · abuse · violation · extradition · tribunal
waterboarding
Controlled asphyxiation interrogation technique
- rackFrame for holding items
- thumbscrewCompression torture device
- iron maidenSpike-lined torture cabinet
flogging · branding · electrocution · sleep deprivation · stress positions · sensory deprivation · whipping · bastinado · burning · stretching
agony
Extreme physical or emotional pain
misery · distress · trauma · despair · grief · affliction · ordeal · heartache · woe · sorrow
interrogation
Formal, probing examination
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- detentionTemporary official holding
imprisonment · prosecution · war crimes · Geneva Convention · human rights · abuse · violation · extradition · tribunal · testimony
grisly
Shockingly horrific
ghastly · monstrous · nightmarish · hideous · grotesque · barbaric · savage · heinous · atrocious · unspeakable
torturessoothes
Gently relieves distress
comforts · pleasures · heals · relieves · alleviates
- water tortureTorment by repeated drops
- torture chamberSpace for inflicting suffering
- tortured soulOne in profound anguish
- torture deviceObject causing deliberate pain
- tortured artistCreative person driven by inner turmoil
- torture rackJoint-separating punishment device