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

Relevance

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 To remove all defenses and lay down the gauntlet. — Brody Miller, New York Times, 17 June 2026 Yet even those who make it through the eligibility gantlet could find their access to care diminished. — Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 16 June 2026 For now, though, the team will take a long vacation before facing the gauntlet that is an NFL summer. — Mike Kaye june 16, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2026 The gauntlet of booby traps culminating in the giant boulder that kick off Raiders is my single favorite opening sequence in a movie ever. — Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gauntlet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauntlet
  1. ordeal
  2. fire
  3. trial
Noun
  • Two other roommates in the house at the time survived the ordeal.
    — Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
  • Spieth immediately went to Kuchar, explaining the entire ordeal.
    — Brody Miller, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of ordeal
Noun
  • The London-born forward formed one-third of the most prolific attack in European football last season alongside Kane and Colombian Luis Diaz, helping fire Bayern to the German title.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Before Monday’s maneuver, the Russian ship informed HMS Tyne – a British patrol vessel – of its intention to conduct live-fire activity, CNN understands.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of fire
Noun
  • Ahead of the trial, the commonwealth also filed a motion to admit audio recordings of the 911 call Patrick Clancy made after returning home and discovering his family.
    — Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • He was called to testify as a witness at Rubiales’ criminal trial in February 2025, where prosecutors sought jail time over the kiss and alleged efforts to pressure Hermoso into downplaying it.
    — Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of trial

Browse Nearby Words

gaunt
gauntlet
gauntlets
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Gauntlet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauntlet. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on gauntlet

Nglish: Translation of gauntlet for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gauntlet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of maverick

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All