两个单词均有身体或精神上的“折磨”的含义。相比之下， torment主要是指长期和反复的精神上的痛苦或烦恼（Torment suggests mental suffering. It hints at repeated or continuous instances of attacks[1])，如 the torments of an alcoholic husband (酗酒丈夫造成的长期的精神折磨）。而torture则指为惩罚、逼供或获得施虐快感而对他人身体或精神造成的痛苦（the infliction of intense pain to the body or mind to punish，to extract a confession or information, or to obtain sadistic pleasure[2])，且主要强调的是实施或导致折磨或痛苦的人或事(Torture puts great stress upon the agent which causes or inflicts it[3])，如 The Madman indulged in the torture of his victims before he killed them (该精神变态者喜欢在杀害受害人之前对他们进行折磨).
[1] Cf. The Editors of the Reader's Digest, Use the Right Word, at p. 373，The Reader's Digest (1971 ).
[2] Cf. Bryan A. Gamer, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th edition, at p. 1498, West Group (1999).
[3] Cf. The Editors of the Reader's Digest, Use the Right Word, at p. 373，The Reader's Digest (1971).
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