How to pronounce torment
Say it like TOR-ment. Torment has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce torment. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TOR
- ment
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Torment pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- mentGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of torment
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TAW-ment.
Other ways to say torment
Torment also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- tor-MENT /tɔrˈmɛnt/
What does torment mean?
- Torture, originally as inflicted by an instrument of torture.“I've gone through living torment.”
- Any extreme pain, anguish or misery, either physical or mental.“He behaved bitter from the torments of the divorce.”
- To cause severe suffering to (stronger than to vex but weaker than to torture.)“The child tormented the flies by pulling their wings off.”
Where does torment come from?
From Middle English torment, from Old French torment, from Latin tormentum (“something operated by twisting”), from torquere (“to twist”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying torment
How do you pronounce torment?
Say TOR-ment. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɔrˌmɛnt/. In British English it is /ˈtɔːˌmɛnt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in torment?
Torment has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TOR). Broken into parts: TOR · ment.
Is torment pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈtɔːˌmɛnt/ (TAW-ment).