(a.) Pertaining to torture; causing extreme misery or suffering\.

acute afflictive agonizing atrocious biting consuming cramping cruel desolating distressing excruciating gnawing grave griping hard harrowing harsh heartbreaking heartrending heartsickening heartwounding hurtful hurting painful paroxysmal piercing poignant pungent racking rending severe sharp shooting spasmatic spasmic spasmodic stabbing stinging tearing tormenting torturing