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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Recent Examples of gauntlet
The beginning of the 2026 season has so far been a gauntlet for both teams in terms of the level of competition, but even more so with the schedule congestion, having played three games each in eight days.
—
Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
The foundation of that legacy was forged in the late ’90s with 400 Degreez, an album that doubled as both a gauntlet thrown at the industry and a rallying cry that helped cement Cash Money Records as a dominant force.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 27 Mar. 2026
After surviving the gauntlet that is the opening rounds of March Madness, the Sweet 16 is an accomplishment on its own and for some of these teams – the Hawkeyes especially – the Elite Eight is just a dream.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Then, the April gauntlet begins.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gauntlet
Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
The foundation of that legacy was forged in the late ’90s with 400 Degreez, an album that doubled as both a gauntlet thrown at the industry and a rallying cry that helped cement Cash Money Records as a dominant force.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 27 Mar. 2026
After surviving the gauntlet that is the opening rounds of March Madness, the Sweet 16 is an accomplishment on its own and for some of these teams – the Hawkeyes especially – the Elite Eight is just a dream.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Then, the April gauntlet begins.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gauntlet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauntlet
Noun
-
Seasonal allergies happen when the immune system mistakes something harmless in the environment, such as pollen, as a danger, setting off reactions and symptoms that can turn spring from a gift into an ordeal.—
Matt Fuchs,
Scientific American,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Chicken dinners don't need to be a whole ordeal.—
Amanda Favazza,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The fires burned for more than three weeks and clean-up efforts took about seven months.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
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It's been six months since Keisha Archer last set foot in her childcare center after it was set on fire in October.—
Monique John,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
When Motta was indicted, she had been permitted to stay out of prison pending trial.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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But just a week before the trial was to begin, Rose's defense attorney approached Nichols about a plea deal.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gauntlet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauntlet. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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