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 Gilbert has supported her husband through the ordeal, showing up to his court appearances and writing letters of support. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2026 Spieth immediately went to Kuchar, explaining the entire ordeal. — Brody Miller, New York Times, 14 July 2026 Jimenez said Princess Cruises kept passengers informed throughout the ordeal, providing hourly updates and making counseling services available onboard. — Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 13 July 2026 To be able to feel and touch the community of Cologne, and this person who suffered that ordeal and overcame it — and then managed to carry out the courage of her convictions with Ukrainian refugees. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ordeal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordeal

Noun

Rather than throwing down the gauntlet, gather information and approach the situation with an open mind.

— Sherri Gordon, Parents, 21 July 2026
With nature’s molecule at the core, the drug candidate then faces the same gauntlet of clinical trials as any other, a process that often spans a decade or more.

— Steve Midway, STAT, 16 July 2026

Definition of gauntlet

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

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

Mercado opened the scoring in the 17th minute, slipping behind the Wave's back line before meeting Ainsley McCammon’s cross with a header for her third goal in three matches.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 July 2026
In the coming Supreme Court season, the issue will again be in the cross-hairs.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 26 July 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 28 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of ordeal

noun

Example Sentences

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