torture

Repetitive imagery of freeways, streetcar tracks, even horses seem to torture the main characters for feeling stuck.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

For a change from that bit of torture, Smith challenges teammates to modified games of tug-of-war, where each player grips one side of a massive tire and tries to drag the other to the turf.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

And yet, this villain’s fiery domain, where imps torture souls nearby, is also recognizably Dionysian.

From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2026

But in Rogers’ case, Trump opted not to torture him over his history of negative comments.

From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2026

On top of this stain there was the torture of knowing that Arthur was kind, simple and upright—of knowing that he was always on the edge of hurting Arthur dreadfully, although he loved him.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

This involves choosing a patron saint, and Michael speaks with the wild enthusiasm of a Marvel movie fanboy about his likely decision, St. George, who endures various grisly tortures but remains steadfast.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

Yet, Paltrow makes it look like easy lifting, as if dodging the universe’s cerebral tortures were as low-effort as the #BoyfriendBreakfasts she’s taken to posting on Instagram.

From Salon ● Dec. 22, 2025

“Have the merciless persecutions and unutterable tortures of the dark ages not yet opened their eyes and enlarged their heart for the alleviation of their fellow men’s woes?”

From Slate ● Apr. 10, 2025

I left them, so that’s what tortures me.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 7, 2025

“Well, well. Won't Susan and Sandra like to hear about this. Their mother tortures an old lady so much that the girls are in danger of losing all of their cardigans and culottes.”

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

But inside the brain trusts of Silicon Valley, billions of investor dollars and years of tortured rationalist arguments are clouding a similar argument about artificial intelligence.

From Salon ● Sep. 12, 2026

Many who came there felt compelled to touch the tortured metal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

Eve resists scream-queen clichés, but Gemma’s boringly typical tortured backstory is as flat as her wan chemistry with Nick.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

Decades of tortured relations between Iran, its Middle Eastern neighbours and the US have left behind a toxic legacy, characterised by deep suspicion and an almost total lack of trust.

From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026

I noted his words, for they fed my tortured thoughts.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

No one cues up Peggy Lee, but the torturing of Jerry West by Jerry West is epic.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 14, 2026

Then again, Egg’s royal command stops Aerion’s guards from torturing Ser Duncan after the hedge knight beats up the prince for breaking a fair maiden’s finger.

From Salon ● Feb. 23, 2026

After winning a record 23rd Grand Slam men's title two years ago, Djokovic admitted he had been "torturing" his team during the tournament.

From BBC ● Jan. 23, 2025

While the professionals scratch their heads, we can see that his acting out is only a reaction to whatever thing or condition or cosmological prank is torturing him.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2024

The memories swirled, silver white and strange, and without hesitating, with a feeling of reckless abandonment, as though this would assuage his torturing grief, Harry dived.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling