vicissitude

noun

Definition of vicissitudenext
as in ordeal
a negative event or circumstance that is common to a particular setting or situation and is usually beyond one's control The vicissitudes of medical school proved too much for the anxious student.

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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 vicissitude Their vicissitudes are both timely and for all time. — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Dec. 2025 Whatever its reputation, the OIGC is still subject to the vicissitudes of other arts organizations. — Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 1 Dec. 2025 By using non-actors who have endured the vicissitudes of the world, Laxe didn’t have to develop the characters in a conventional way. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 12 Nov. 2025 Renaissance has prided itself on a debt-free history, despite the vicissitudes of performing arts fundraising. — Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vicissitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicissitude
  1. ordeal
  2. gauntlet
  3. misfortune
  4. privation
Noun
  • The world eventually recovers from the ordeal, but consequences of the virus linger for decades.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The ordeal forces Sally to admit the existence of their magical powers.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of ordeal
Noun
  • As Houston begins a gauntlet week on the road against the Phillies and Rays, submit questions for The Athletic’s Chandler Rome to answer in an upcoming mailbag.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Those lofty ambitions must first survive the 17-game gauntlet that is the NFL regular season.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of gauntlet
Noun
  • Republicans also have the misfortune of scheduling the convention for the first two dates of the NFL regular season, which always draws massive ratings and for the first time begins on a Wednesday night, followed by a game on Thursday night.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
  • After the misfortune of Rodon’s injury, the manager conceded better luck would be needed across the rest of the group.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of misfortune
Noun
  • Though each of the Ghetto’s three areas (the Ghetto Nuovo, the Ghetto Vecchio, and the Ghetto Nuovissimo) retained its own, distinct character until remarkably late, it was always cramped, unsanitary, and marred by privation.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026
  • These adjustments add to the fact that while blockades can impose privation, modern governments and their nationalist populations can accept a lot of suffering before considering major political concessions.
    — Eugene Gholz, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of privation

Browse Nearby Words

viciousness
vicissitude
vicissitudes
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Cite this Entry

“Vicissitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicissitude. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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