Ordeal: meaning, definitions and examples
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ordeal
[ ɔːˈdɪəl ]
difficult experience
An ordeal is a very unpleasant and painful experience, especially one that lasts a long time.
Synonyms
hardship, suffering, trial, tribulation
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.
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 origin
The word 'ordeal' originated from Old English 'ordāl', which referred to a judgment or test by which innocence or guilt was determined. The concept of undergoing a severe trial or test to prove oneself dates back to ancient times. Ordeals were often used in medieval Europe as a form of trial by ordeal, where the accused had to undergo physical ordeals such as being burned by hot iron or submerged in boiling water. Over time, the meaning of 'ordeal' evolved to represent any extremely difficult or painful experience.