variants
also gantlet
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gauntlet
For every new drug that launches, nine candidates fail before completing the gauntlet of clinical trials necessary to win Food and Drug Administration approval.
—
Tomas J. Philipson, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026
Detour opens with Petras laying down the gauntlet while idling on the edge of an enormous cliff.
—Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026
Sullivan’s inheritance was an imposing gauntlet.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2026
The Spurs have gone through the West gauntlet, eaten a ridiculous 35-point Game 7 effort from reigning back-to-back MVP Gilgeous-Alexander and unseated the defending champs to give Adam Silver a brand new champion for the eighth straight postseason.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for gauntlet
Tomas J. Philipson, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026
Detour opens with Petras laying down the gauntlet while idling on the edge of an enormous cliff.
—Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026
Sullivan’s inheritance was an imposing gauntlet.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2026
The Spurs have gone through the West gauntlet, eaten a ridiculous 35-point Game 7 effort from reigning back-to-back MVP Gilgeous-Alexander and unseated the defending champs to give Adam Silver a brand new champion for the eighth straight postseason.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for gauntlet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauntlet
Noun
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About four hours into the nightmare ordeal, Jimmy tried to escape by opening the front door, but Chavez shot him in the back.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
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Garcia said the ordeal was a misunderstanding and that the restaurant has defamed him.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Noun
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At the same time, that quote and Ruth’s attitude also implies that nothing can be done to extinguish the fire in the perpetually burning building.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
Noun
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In 2023, eight years on from that trial match, Yamal made his debut for the Barcelona first team aged just 15 years, 9 months and 16 days – becoming the youngest player to represent the club in over a century.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
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In the eight months of preparation leading up to the trial, one of the major points of contention was Roach's decision to keep cameras out of the courtroom.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gauntlet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauntlet. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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