Thesaurus results for ORDEAL

ordeal

noun

ȯr-ˈdē(-ə)l

Definition of ordeal

as in gauntlet

a test of faith, patience, or strength the hikers were finally rescued after a three-day ordeal in the wilderness

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 ordeal But as the AskHistorians ordeal illustrates, more enforcement doesn’t necessarily mean better enforcement. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026 The ordeal was so dire that Papa’s doctor advised him to prepare his family for the worst. — Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026 Four other lions who were ill are showing signs of recovery, the zoo said, with six others that have appeared to be in good health throughout the ordeal. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 5 Aug. 2026 Actually we were headed for an ordeal which, but for the grace of God, could have brought death to all of us. — James D. Oxley, Outdoor Life, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ordeal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordeal

Noun

Perhaps in writing it, Salinger was trying to negotiate whether his remarkable survival through some of the war’s worst gauntlets could be chalked up to dumb luck, or divine intervention.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
People committing crimes may now run a surveillance gauntlet to and from the scene, leaving a digital trail that can identify them much like fingerprints.

— Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of gauntlet

Noun

Najib was later detained and became one of the highest-ranking officials to be put on trial.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
There is no methodology which precisely calculates this number, but good trial attorneys can usually get within the ballpark based on their past experiences with similar cases.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of trial

Noun

Edelman, who perfectly timed his run, slipped between a pair of defenders for a sliding first-touch goal, off a cross played by Conrad Wallem, from the center of the penalty box.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
The Mexican international rushed onto a cross that forced Thorns goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold off her line to make a save, but the ball bounced off Ovalle and over the end line to level the score.

— Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of cross

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ordains

ordeal

ordeals

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“Ordeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordeal. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ordeal

noun

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