/ˌprɛtɔːrˈtʊər, -ˈtɔːr/ or /ˌprɛtɔːrˈtʊər, -ˈtɔːr/ (US) or /prɪˈtɔːʊər, -ˈtɔːr/ (UK)

Definitions

1. noun

a hypothetical or humorous act of causing an individual to experience a state similar to torture, but without the infliction of actual harm or suffering.

“The comedian’s joke was accused of being pretorture to the sensitive witness, who later filed a complaint.”