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 Every detail feels intentional, from the intricate French lace to the removable lace gauntlets and dramatic overskirt. — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for gauntlet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauntlet
  1. ordeal
  2. fire
  3. trial
Noun
  • In a later video, the passenger who filmed the ordeal then goes to guest services to explain the issue and express her concerns.
    — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
  • The eruption unfolded in five phases over about 24 hours, a harrowing, cumulative ordeal for unsuspecting residents.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of ordeal
Noun
  • Temperatures are set to soar in France and Spain this week as the continent heads into its fourth heat wave of the summer, and there is no rain forecast to relieve the tinder-dry conditions fuelling the fires.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • It was reported to be the first time that the Navy’s Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) manufactured by BlackSea Technologies was used in a live-fire exercise.
    — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of fire
Noun
  • Gray, who was 14 at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty last week to 55 charges, canceling a trial that was scheduled to begin in October at a courthouse in Columbia County.
    — Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 28 July 2026
  • The father’s trial revealed the extent of Colt’s tumultuous childhood.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 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 29 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 inveigle

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
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
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All