tribulation

noun

trib·​u·​la·​tion ˌtri-byə-ˈlā-shən 

: distress or suffering resulting from oppression or persecution

also : a trying experience

the trials and tribulations of starting a new business

Did you know?

IT's Not Hard to Learn About Tribulation

It would be an understatement to say that undergoing trials and tribulations is a drag, but the origins of the word tribulation have much to do with literal dragging. Tribulation comes (via Anglo-French) from the Latin noun tribulum, which refers to an ancient tool that separates grain seed from the rest of the plant when it is dragged over a harvest. If one imagines such a thresher working on a human being—a harrowing thought, indeed—the connection to tribulation’s present meaning is understandable. These days, tribulation is commonly used as a plural noun and paired with trials to refer to any kind of drawn-out struggle, though lovers of John Milton's famous 17th century epic poem Paradise Lost may recognize it, unpaired, from a passage describing life as "Tri'd in sharp tribulation, and refin'd / By Faith and faithful works."

Synonyms

• affliction
• agony
• anguish
• distress
• excruciation
• hurt
• misery
• pain
• rack
• strait(s)
• torment
• torture
• travail
• woe

Examples of tribulation in a Sentence

Her son's illness has been a source of great tribulation.

The play is about the tribulations of a family of immigrants in New York.

Recent Examples on the Web

In honor of National Poetry Month, deciding to laugh rather than cry, this victim of frequent migraines is going to voice springtime tribulations in verse. —Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2025

Much like Longo’s drawings that broadcast unbound sophistication, Davis’ photographs capture moments of tribulation and release, augmented by a feral sensibility. —R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025

But American soccer fans should not fret about Pochettino’s recent tribulations. —Alex Tabet, NBC News, 14 Sep. 2024

While the financial tribulations of large cities make headlines, troubles in smaller cities and in special purpose governments like hospital and transit districts often develop below the radar. —Marc Joffe, Orange County Register, 5 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tribulacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French tribulacion, borrowed from Late Latin trībulātiōn-, trībulātiō, from trībulāre "to torment, afflict" (going back to Latin, "to press, squeeze") + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action; trībulāre, derivative of trībulum "threshing board (board with flint or iron teeth dragged across harvested grain to separate seeds from straw)," from trī- (base of trītum, trīvī, past participle and perfect of terere "to rub, grind, wear down") + -bulum, suffix of instruments (going back to Indo-European *-d^hlom) — more at {mat|trite}

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tribulation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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Kids Definition

tribulation

noun

trib·​u·​la·​tion ˌtrib-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: distress or suffering resulting from cruel or unjust treatment or misfortune

2

: a trying experience