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ordeal

[awr-deel]

ordeal Definition

a difficult or painful experience, especially one that lasts for a long time.

Using ordeal: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "ordeal" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The survivors of the shipwreck had to endure a terrible ordeal.

  • Example

    Going through a divorce can be an emotional ordeal.

  • Example

    The athlete's injury was a grueling ordeal that required months of rehabilitation.

ordeal Synonyms and Antonyms

Phrases with ordeal

  • a difficult or challenging situation that someone experiences when they start a new job or activity

    Example

    My first day as a teacher was a real baptism of fire.

  • a test of someone's abilities or character, especially a difficult one

    Example

    The new manager faced a trial by fire when she took over the struggling department.

  • a form of trial in which the accused is subjected to a painful or dangerous test, such as walking barefoot over hot coals

    Example

    Ordeal by fire was a common method of determining guilt or innocence in medieval Europe.

Origins of ordeal

from Old English 'ordāl', meaning 'judgment by ordeal'

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Summary: ordeal in Brief

The term 'ordeal' [awr-deel] refers to a difficult or painful experience that lasts for a long time. It can be used to describe a range of situations, from emotional struggles like going through a divorce to physical challenges like recovering from an injury. Phrases like 'baptism of fire' and 'trial by fire' describe difficult experiences that test someone's abilities or character. 'Ordeal by fire' is a historical term for a form of trial in which the accused is subjected to a painful or dangerous test.