Ordeal: meaning, definitions and examples

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ordeal

 

[ ɔːˈdɪəl ]

Noun
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

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

Etymology

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.

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.