as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
a documentary chronicling the lasting tribulation of Holocaust survivors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 tribulation
This is a candid memoir of vulnerability and courage, humility and purpose, mistakes and learning—a singular tale of the trials, tribulations, and hope to be found in a life dedicated to the pursuit of truth.
—
Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
Dabis plays a mother contextualizing the fate of her son through the tribulations of his grandfather.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
In her trail diary, Zieber recorded both the daily tribulations but also the optimism of a better life ahead.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Detroit basks in the glory of resiliency, welcoming praise for its triumph over a series of tribulations — bankruptcy, political corruption, deindustrialization.
—Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tribulation
Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
Dabis plays a mother contextualizing the fate of her son through the tribulations of his grandfather.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
In her trail diary, Zieber recorded both the daily tribulations but also the optimism of a better life ahead.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Detroit basks in the glory of resiliency, welcoming praise for its triumph over a series of tribulations — bankruptcy, political corruption, deindustrialization.
—Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tribulation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tribulation
Noun
-
For times of extreme distress, Beltzer suggests a practice called ice diving.—
Stefanie Groner,
Glamour,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The deep distress our family feels because of Nay's loss is in such a violent and unnecessary way is complicated by feelings of disbelief, distress and desperation for change.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The agony of not knowing what would happen to his wife and only child overwhelmed Luis, Xiong said.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Well, there was a great deal left in me, in an agony of embarrassment looking around for that hole on the floor to crawl into.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Embracing misery is one kind of defiance; demanding to be heard is another.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2026
-
This year, more than usual, a group of Florida lawmakers are clinging to a Biblical-sounding principle — and doing their best to ensure that the wages of sin are, at the very least, misery.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
White’s dialogue is unsentimental but rife with anguish; Owen Teague and a seductive, destructive Abbey Lee give the pain its due.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
-
His murder was met with fury and anguish.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Stafford’s winning the award eased some of the pain of losing the NFC championship to the Seattle Seahawks, McVay said.—
Gary Klein,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Often, they were driven by extreme desperation, a need to believe any explanation, no matter how outlandish, to explain their children’s pain.—
Ej Dickson,
Rolling Stone,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tribulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tribulation. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
