calvary

noun

cal·​va·​ry ˈkal-v(ə-)rē How to pronounce calvary (audio)
plural calvaries
1
: an open-air representation of the crucifixion of Jesus
2
: an experience of usually intense mental suffering

Examples of calvary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web With a few decades’ distance Miller emphasized the personal calvary over the McCarthy analogy. Stacy Schiff, The New York Review of Books, 22 Dec. 2022 The days after news of the deaths have been a calvary for those left behind, Amarinder Singh said. Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 11 Oct. 2022 So began a calvary of severe fatigue, brain fog, imbalance and other symptoms that are still with her eight months later. Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2021 The Bridges lived only a few blocks from the school, but the morning trip there was a calvary for Ruby and her mother. Emily Langer, Washington Post, 12 Nov. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calvary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Calvary, the hill near Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of calvary was in 1815

Dictionary Entries Near calvary

Cite this Entry

“Calvary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calvary. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Geographical Definition

Calvary

geographical name

Cal·​va·​ry ˈkal-v(ə-)rē How to pronounce Calvary (audio)
variants or Hebrew Golgotha
ˈgäl-gə-thə How to pronounce Calvary (audio)
gäl-ˈgä-thə
place outside ancient Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified

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