as in fires
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
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Recent Examples of ordeals
People who have been at this work longer, or have survived similar ordeals, can help a mentee see around corners.
—
Literary Hub,
30 June 2026
Meanwhile, Phillips said, victims are left to live with the impacts of the perpetrators’ actions — with the survivors in this case forced to continue to relive their ordeals as the case continues on to the Court of Appeal.
—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
3 June 2026
And for that matter, how could adults accurately account for such ordeals?
—
Emily Watlington,
ARTnews.com,
24 May 2026
That was a dramatic improvement over recent weekends, when social media lit up with complaints of hour-and-a-half ordeals.
—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
But the responsibility to inform should not fall on the shoulders of the women who’ve survived these ordeals.
—
Tina Sturdevant,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Others have also turned their personal ordeals into stories of inspiration.
—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2026
The medical ordeals are traumatic and disgusting, but fascinating and full of the quirks of modern life.
—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Both women survived, but are still reeling from ordeals that have drawn national attention — in part, because they were captured on video and shared on social media.
—
CBS News,
3 Dec. 2025
Literary Hub,
30 June 2026
Meanwhile, Phillips said, victims are left to live with the impacts of the perpetrators’ actions — with the survivors in this case forced to continue to relive their ordeals as the case continues on to the Court of Appeal.
—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
3 June 2026
And for that matter, how could adults accurately account for such ordeals?
—
Emily Watlington,
ARTnews.com,
24 May 2026
That was a dramatic improvement over recent weekends, when social media lit up with complaints of hour-and-a-half ordeals.
—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
But the responsibility to inform should not fall on the shoulders of the women who’ve survived these ordeals.
—
Tina Sturdevant,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Others have also turned their personal ordeals into stories of inspiration.
—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2026
The medical ordeals are traumatic and disgusting, but fascinating and full of the quirks of modern life.
—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Both women survived, but are still reeling from ordeals that have drawn national attention — in part, because they were captured on video and shared on social media.
—
CBS News,
3 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordeals
Noun
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
-
Fewer fireworks, fewer fires 🎆 🔥 Leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals.
Noun
-
Every detail feels intentional, from the intricate French lace to the removable lace gauntlets and dramatic overskirt.
-
Post-punk bands face few gauntlets as arduous as the slow song, and Landowner challenge themselves to traverse three of them.
Noun
-
The company currently has cancer therapies in mid and late-stage trials targeting melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and bladder cancer.
-
But a developer would need to make do with no balconies, no pool and the architectural confines that come with a stone building that was designed for trials, not open-concept kitchens and heated bathroom floors.
Cite this Entry
“Ordeals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordeals. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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