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Ordeal: meaning, definitions and examples

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ordeal

 

[ɔːˈdɪəl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

difficult experience

An ordeal is a very unpleasant and painful experience, especially one that lasts a long time.

Synonyms

hardship, suffering, trial, tribulation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ordeal

An extremely unpleasant and difficult experience that tests a person's endurance, often used in a more dramatic sense.

  • The hikers went through a horrendous ordeal when they got lost in the mountains
  • Her surgery was a painful ordeal
trial

A difficult situation that tests someone's patience or endurance, can be used to describe legal matters and personal challenges.

  • Raising a teenager can be quite a trial for many parents
  • The long commute was a daily trial for her
tribulation

Great trouble or suffering, usually used in a more literary or old-fashioned context, often implying a series of difficulties.

  • The hero faced many tribulations on his journey
  • Despite the tribulations of her youth, she became a successful writer
hardship

A condition of severe suffering, usually related to financial, physical, or living conditions, and it doesn't necessarily have to be as dramatic or intense as an 'ordeal'.

  • Living in poverty presents many hardships
  • The journey was filled with hardship, including bad weather and rough terrain
suffering

The state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship, often referring to emotional or physical pain, sometimes on a prolonged basis.

  • The war caused widespread suffering among the civilian population
  • She endured years of suffering due to her illness

Examples of usage

  • The hostages' ordeal came to an end after weeks of captivity.
  • She described her divorce as a traumatic ordeal.
  • Surviving the earthquake was a harrowing ordeal for the residents.
  • The surgery was a necessary ordeal for her health.
  • I hope you never have to go through such a difficult ordeal.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word originated in Old English, derived from 'ord' meaning 'spear' and 'deal' meaning 'to distribute'; originally used to refer to a test of a person's character or physical strength.
  • It was historically associated with a trial by ordeal, where a person’s fate was determined by a dangerous or painful test.

Literature

  • In many classic novels, protagonists face an ordeal that tests their bravery, such as the trials faced by Odysseus in Homer's 'Odyssey'.
  • The hero's journey often includes an ordeal that serves as a turning point in the story, representing growth and transformation.

Psychology

  • Facing an ordeal can lead to post-traumatic growth, where individuals emerge stronger and more resilient after dealing with trauma.
  • Psychologists often study how people cope with ordeals to develop better therapeutic techniques for stress and anxiety.

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, overcoming an ordeal is celebrated as a rite of passage, marking the transition to adulthood or maturity.
  • The idea of endurance in the face of challenges is a common theme in folklore, reflecting societal values of perseverance.

Pop Culture

  • 'Survivor' reality shows often center around contestants facing various ordeals to test their limits and win rewards.
  • Films frequently feature an average character who must undergo an ordeal, which propels them to discover their hidden strengths.

Translations

Translations of the word "ordeal" in other languages:

🇵🇹 provação

🇮🇳 कठिन परीक्षा

🇩🇪 Zerreißprobe

🇮🇩 ujian berat

🇺🇦 випробування

🇵🇱 próba

🇯🇵 試練

🇫🇷 épreuve

🇪🇸 prueba

🇹🇷 çetin sınav

🇰🇷 시련

🇸🇦 اختبار صعب

🇨🇿 zkouška

🇸🇰 skúška

🇨🇳 考验

🇸🇮 preizkušnja

🇮🇸 erfiðleikar

🇰🇿 сынақ

🇬🇪 გამოცდა

🇦🇿 sınaq

🇲🇽 prueba

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,405, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.