gauntlet

noun

variants also gantlet
Definition of gauntletnext
as in ordeal
a test of faith, patience, or strength before being adopted, school textbooks must often run the gauntlet of several local and state committees

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gauntlet The fourth quarter starts Thursday, bringing the gauntlet of Halloween, Election Day, Thanksgiving, office holiday parties and the holidays themselves. — J. Scott Trubey, AJC.com, 30 Sep. 2026 Instead, that would have to wait a few months longer, after a gantlet of inspections that included long waits was finally finished. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026 Both Disney+ and Netflix have laid down similar gauntlets over the past few years. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026 That’s not to say Google is down and out, but Meta has certainly laid down the gauntlet. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz,arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gauntlet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauntlet
  1. ordeal
  2. fire
  3. trial
Noun
  • His ordeal would go on to become one of the most egregious examples of prosecutorial misconduct in the United States.
    — Madeleine Baran, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
  • That entire ordeal is presented in detail, a backstage drama in miniature that treats the boardroom soap opera as the last chance to keep Pandora’s box shut.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of ordeal
Noun
  • Helen, Rob and Emily McDaniel's wood-fire-and-coal-cooking restaurant, is a cozy downtown spot that serves up chicken thighs, angel biscuits, and tomato pie.
    — Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The Forest Service lowered fire restrictions to Stage 1 earlier this month.
    — The Know, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of fire
Noun
  • Construction site trial succeeds The team tested the complete system at an active construction site, where a worker wore the device for approximately 165 minutes while performing normal daily activities.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Four days before the trial was to begin, Johnson tried to meet with his client in a Tarrant County jail.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of trial

Browse Nearby Words

gaunt
gauntlet
gauntlets
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Cite this Entry

“Gauntlet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauntlet. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gauntlet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gauntlet

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