What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ordeal
Example
Surviving the earthquake was a harrowing ordeal. [ordeal: noun]
Example
She had to undergo a grueling ordeal to become a doctor. [ordeal: adjective]
adversity
Example
He faced many adversities in his life, but he never gave up. [adversities: noun]
Example
The team overcame adversity to win the championship. [adversity: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Adversity is more commonly used than ordeal in everyday language. Adversity is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ordeal is less common and refers to a more specific type of difficult experience.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ordeal and adversity?
Both ordeal and adversity can be used in formal or informal contexts, but ordeal may be perceived as more formal due to its less frequent usage in everyday language.
