What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tormentation
Example
The prisoner endured hours of torment during the interrogation. [torment: noun]
Example
She was tormented by the memory of her past mistakes. [tormented: adjective]
distress
Example
The news of her father's illness caused her great distress. [distress: noun]
Example
He was distressed by the thought of losing his job. [distressed: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Distress is more commonly used than tormentation in everyday language. Distress is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tormentation is less common and has a more specific usage.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between tormentation and distress?
Both tormentation and distress can be used in formal and informal contexts, but tormentation may have a more dramatic and intense connotation, making it more suitable for formal writing or speech.
