責せめ苛さいなむ

godan verb (-mu), transitive verb

torture; persecute; torment relentlessly

Strong, literary verb implying sustained, cruel treatment that causes severe mental or physical suffering. Often used in serious contexts like abuse, bullying, or oppression.

• 彼かれは罪つみの意い識しきに責せめさいなまれた。

  He was tormented by a sense of guilt.

• 捕ほ虜りょは敵てきに責せめ苛さいなまれた。

  The prisoners were tortured by the enemy.