Tortuous vs. Torturous: What's the Difference?
Tortuous and torturous are often confused due to their similar spellings and pronunciation, but they have distinct meanings. Tortuous refers to something that is full of twists, turns, or bends; it's often used to describe winding roads or complicated processes. Torturous, on the other hand, relates to torture or suffering, and it describes experiences or processes that are very painful or distressing.
How do you use the word tortuous in a sentence?
The word tortuous is used to describe routes, paths, or procedures that are not straightforward, often involving many twists and turns. It can be applied both literally, such as to a road or river, and figuratively, in cases like a tortuous argument or negotiation process.
Examples of tortuous in a sentence
- The mountain path was tortuous, winding through steep cliffs and dense forests.
- He followed a tortuous career path, filled with unexpected turns and career changes.
- The novel's plot was tortuous and complex, requiring the reader's full attention to follow.
How do you use the word torturous in a sentence?
Torturous is used to describe an experience that is akin to torture, causing extreme discomfort or pain. The term is often associated with physical or mental suffering and can refer to grueling experiences that are challenging to endure.
Examples of torturous in a sentence
- The prisoners were subjected to torturous interrogations that lasted for hours.
- Surviving in the desert was a torturous ordeal for the stranded hiker.
- The marathon runner described the final miles of the race as torturous.
Tortuous and torturous definition, parts of speech, and pronunciation
Tortuous definition:
Tortuous (adjective): full of twists, turns, or bends; not direct or straightforward.
Tortuous parts of speech:
Tortuous pronunciation:
Tortuous is pronounced as "/ˈtɔːr.tʃu.əs/".
Torturous definition:
Torturous (adjective): involving or causing torture or suffering.
Torturous parts of speech:
Torturous pronunciation:
Torturous is pronounced as "/ˈtɔːr.tʃə.rəs/".
Tortuous (adjective): full of twists, turns, or bends; not direct or straightforward.
Tortuous parts of speech:
- Adjective: The tortuous design of the maze confounded everyone who tried it.
Tortuous pronunciation:
Tortuous is pronounced as "/ˈtɔːr.tʃu.əs/".
Torturous definition:
Torturous (adjective): involving or causing torture or suffering.
Torturous parts of speech:
- Adjective: Her recovery from the accident was a long and torturous process.
Torturous pronunciation:
Torturous is pronounced as "/ˈtɔːr.tʃə.rəs/".
Tortuous vs. Torturous in a nutshell
In summary, tortuous and torturous are two adjectives with separate meanings. Tortuous describes something with many twists and turns, whether literal or figurative. It emphasizes complexity and indirectness. Torturous, conversely, describes an experience that causes intense suffering or discomfort, akin to torture. Remembering these distinctions ensures that each word is used in its proper context to convey the intended meaning accurately.
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