ordeal

noun

or·​deal ȯr-ˈdē(-ə)l 

ˈȯr-ˌdē(-ə)l

1

: a primitive means used to determine guilt or innocence by submitting the accused to dangerous or painful tests believed to be under supernatural control

ordeal by fire

ordeal by water

2

: a severe trial or experience

Being trapped in an elevator was a harrowing ordeal for the shoppers.

Synonyms of ordeal

• gauntlet
• trial
• fire
• cross

Examples of ordeal in a Sentence

the hikers were finally rescued after a three-day ordeal in the wilderness

Recent Examples on the Web

In the third season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, our young hero encounters two of the children of Hades before embarking on a quest to free the huntress Artemis from an ordeal, traveling all over the US and Greece. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026

This makes narrativizing and self-mythologizing the whole ordeal a lot easier. — Ivy Wolk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026

During the ordeal, Del Mar started a group called Fathers Helping Fathers, which advocated for unwed or divorced fathers seeking legal advice on custody. — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

The strikes in Riyadh have killed at least 13 people and wounded hundreds — some of the survivors were allowed to speak about their ordeal to Saudi state TV over the weekend. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ordal, from Old English ordāl; akin to Old High German urteil judgment, Old English dāl division — more at deal entry 3

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ordeal

• abele
• alkyl
• anneal
• appeal
• cartwheel
• conceal
• congeal
• coquille
• corneal
• cornmeal
• flywheel
• genteel

Kids Definition

ordeal

noun

or·​deal ȯr-ˈdē(-ə)l 

1

: a method of deciding guilt or innocence by making the accused person take dangerous or painful tests

ordeal by fire

2

: a severe test or experience