HealthJuly 14, 2026
torment
/ˈtɔːrmɛnt/
Definition
Extreme mental anguish or agonizing psychological suffering.
Etymology
The word originates from the Old French 'torment,' which came from the Latin 'tormentum,' meaning an instrument of torture or a rack. It evolved from a physical implement of agony to describe the emotional or mental suffering that feels equally oppressive.
In the news
In this article, the word describes the internal distress and severe mental instability the suspect faced due to untreated psychiatric conditions. His mother uses the term to highlight how he was left to struggle alone with his illness before the tragedy occurred.
Dauphin County man was having mental health crisis when he killed grandma in her home: family
Read the full article ↗PennLive.com