The word "酷刑" is formed by combining the character "酷", meaning cruel or severe, with "刑", meaning punishment or penalty. "酷" is composed of the radical "酉", which historically relates to fermentation or intensity, and the phonetic component "告", while "刑" includes the radical "刂", indicating cutting or violence, aligned with punitive actions. Together, they create a compound where "酷" modifies "刑" to specifically denote cruel punishment or torture.