Ordeal
noun
A painful or scary experience that continues for a long time.
Going through a divorce can be a real ordeal for many people.
Often appears as...
- go through an ordeal
- survive an ordeal
noun
A ancient trial or judgement where the outcome is decided by a supernatural entity.
In medieval times, an ordeal by fire was a test of guilt or innocence.
Often appears as...
- ordeal by fire
- ordeal by water
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Historical
noun
A painful or scary experience that continues for a long time.
Going through a divorce can be a real ordeal for many people.
Often appears as...
- go through an ordeal
- survive an ordeal
noun
A ancient trial or judgement where the outcome is decided by a supernatural entity.
In medieval times, an ordeal by fire was a test of guilt or innocence.
Often appears as...
- ordeal by fire
- ordeal by water
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Historical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
Describes intense difficulties, carrying negative emotions such as fear or distress.
Surviving the hurricane was an ordeal for the affected families.
Pro Tip 2/3Extended Duration
Refers to something that isn't just difficult, but also lasts for a considerable period.
Her recovery from surgery was a year-long ordeal.
Pro Tip 3/3Personal Challenge
Often used to talk about a personal challenge that tests one's strength or endurance.
Facing the competitive exam was the biggest ordeal of his life.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
Describes intense difficulties, carrying negative emotions such as fear or distress.
Surviving the hurricane was an ordeal for the affected families.
Pro Tip 2/3Extended Duration
Refers to something that isn't just difficult, but also lasts for a considerable period.
Her recovery from surgery was a year-long ordeal.
Pro Tip 3/3Personal Challenge
Often used to talk about a personal challenge that tests one's strength or endurance.
Facing the competitive exam was the biggest ordeal of his life.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
Describes intense difficulties, carrying negative emotions such as fear or distress.
Surviving the hurricane was an ordeal for the affected families.
Pro Tip 2/3Extended Duration
Refers to something that isn't just difficult, but also lasts for a considerable period.
Her recovery from surgery was a year-long ordeal.
Pro Tip 3/3Personal Challenge
Often used to talk about a personal challenge that tests one's strength or endurance.
Facing the competitive exam was the biggest ordeal of his life.
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Video examples
Chris Urmson: How a...
and that means instead of a 30-minute drive to work in the morning, it's a two-hour ordeal of piecing together bits of public transit or asking friends and family for a ride. He doesn't have that same freedom that you and I have to get around. We should do something about that. Now, conventional wisdom would say that we'll just take these driver assistance systems
Video examples
Behind the Scenes With...
but it's also science facted so that we understand that what's going on is not in the future is not science fiction but it's the Mars mission starts today it is happening right now the core of the show is based on the reality which means that there is no one space agency in the world that can achieve the ordeal of
Video examples
Vincent Cochetel: I was...
I call on you to remember their dedication and demand that humanitarian aid workers around the world be better protected. We should not let that light of hope they have brought to be switched off. After my ordeal, a lot of colleagues asked me, "But why do you continue? Why do you do this sort of job?
Video examples
Can you solve the temple...
and you can safely trust the majority in both trios since at least two people in each will be truthful. The temple collapses behind you as greenish vapors escape from two of the students. You're all safe and free from the curse. After that ordeal, you tell your group they all deserve a vacation,
Video examples
Børge Ousland: Breaking...
such an ordeal like this so we continued we follow the whole of nonsense route all the way down to Cape for every week our characters up on the beach and settle down make camp wait for the sailboat that was going to pick us up
Video examples
Gorillas Find Refuge in...
too scared to leave her human protectors a few days later weakened by the stress of her ordeal she dies more proof that in these jungles were the last mountain gorillas cling to existence nothing comes easy
Video examples
One of the Last...
the Cubs are recovering from their ordeal the last time max saw them one of the Cubs was in critical condition the cameras will allow scientists to observe the Cubs from a cabin a hundred metres away
Video examples
Girl's Rite of Passage PIPE...
strength endurance and character that will make her a woman the Mescalero Apache hold the ritual every fourth of July it's a grueling ordeal intended to prepare girls for the trials of
Video examples
Seeking justice for the...
Afghanistan have to go through this ordeal every single day acid which is used to clean cotton amongst other things is being thrown on the faces of women to teach them a lesson
Video examples
Wearing a Glove of...
the boy struggles not to show his pain and we dance to help you through the ordeal after five minutes the gloves come off
Video examples
Chris Urmson: How a...
and that means instead of a 30-minute drive to work in the morning, it's a two-hour ordeal of piecing together bits of public transit or asking friends and family for a ride. He doesn't have that same freedom that you and I have to get around. We should do something about that. Now, conventional wisdom would say that we'll just take these driver assistance systems
Video examples
Behind the Scenes With...
but it's also science facted so that we understand that what's going on is not in the future is not science fiction but it's the Mars mission starts today it is happening right now the core of the show is based on the reality which means that there is no one space agency in the world that can achieve the ordeal of
Video examples
Vincent Cochetel: I was...
I call on you to remember their dedication and demand that humanitarian aid workers around the world be better protected. We should not let that light of hope they have brought to be switched off. After my ordeal, a lot of colleagues asked me, "But why do you continue? Why do you do this sort of job?
Video examples
Can you solve the temple...
and you can safely trust the majority in both trios since at least two people in each will be truthful. The temple collapses behind you as greenish vapors escape from two of the students. You're all safe and free from the curse. After that ordeal, you tell your group they all deserve a vacation,
Video examples
Børge Ousland: Breaking...
such an ordeal like this so we continued we follow the whole of nonsense route all the way down to Cape for every week our characters up on the beach and settle down make camp wait for the sailboat that was going to pick us up
Video examples
Gorillas Find Refuge in...
too scared to leave her human protectors a few days later weakened by the stress of her ordeal she dies more proof that in these jungles were the last mountain gorillas cling to existence nothing comes easy
Video examples
One of the Last...
the Cubs are recovering from their ordeal the last time max saw them one of the Cubs was in critical condition the cameras will allow scientists to observe the Cubs from a cabin a hundred metres away
Video examples
Girl's Rite of Passage PIPE...
strength endurance and character that will make her a woman the Mescalero Apache hold the ritual every fourth of July it's a grueling ordeal intended to prepare girls for the trials of
Video examples
Seeking justice for the...
Afghanistan have to go through this ordeal every single day acid which is used to clean cotton amongst other things is being thrown on the faces of women to teach them a lesson
Video examples
Wearing a Glove of...
the boy struggles not to show his pain and we dance to help you through the ordeal after five minutes the gloves come off
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Hiram Rhodes Revels
American Politician
It is evident that it is the belief of Christian people in this country and in all other enlightened portions of the world that as a nation, we have passed through a severe ordeal - that severe judgments have been poured out upon us on account of the manner in which a poor, oppressed race was treated in this country.
Quote examples
John Torode
Australian Chef
I absolutely love jumping on a plane. I find it to be one of the most wonderful, releasing experiences in the world. Nobody can call me and I have my own space where I can do whatever I want. For some people a long-haul flight is an ordeal, but I love every bit of it.
Quote examples
Liam Neeson
Irish Actor
Well, I think they're all basically the same story. Every culture in the world has them. When you strip it down and analyze it, it's the young man or girl who goes through a trial or ordeal and hits a very low ebb but manages to get guidance from a Merlin type figure.
Quote examples
Huston Smith
American Theologian
At the center of the religious life is a peculiar kind of joy, the prospect of a happy ending that blossoms from necessarily painful ordeals, the promise of human difficulties embraced and overcome.
Quote examples
Brooks Atkinson
American Critic
People everywhere enjoy believing things that they know are not true. It spares them the ordeal of thinking for themselves and taking responsibility for what they know.
Quote examples
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Indian Director
I'm petrified of facing the camera. Even to shoot for a photograph is an ordeal. But it's important to break free of your inhibitions at some point in your life.
Quote examples
Neeraj Kabi
Indian Actor
My biggest inspiration has been life for me. Basic survival has been my biggest teacher. Surviving in Mumbai for so many years has been a huge ordeal.
Quote examples
Sylvie Guillem
French Dancer
As a child, I was afraid of everything. My parents were shy, the kind of people for whom it is an ordeal to go and buy some bread or whatever.
Quote examples
Winston Churchill
British Statesman
I am prepared to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.
Quote examples
Amanda Lindhout
Canadian Journalist
I went through an extremely trying ordeal, but I never forgot the world outside was a beautiful place.
Quote examples
Hiram Rhodes Revels
American Politician
It is evident that it is the belief of Christian people in this country and in all other enlightened portions of the world that as a nation, we have passed through a severe ordeal - that severe judgments have been poured out upon us on account of the manner in which a poor, oppressed race was treated in this country.
Quote examples
John Torode
Australian Chef
I absolutely love jumping on a plane. I find it to be one of the most wonderful, releasing experiences in the world. Nobody can call me and I have my own space where I can do whatever I want. For some people a long-haul flight is an ordeal, but I love every bit of it.
Quote examples
Liam Neeson
Irish Actor
Well, I think they're all basically the same story. Every culture in the world has them. When you strip it down and analyze it, it's the young man or girl who goes through a trial or ordeal and hits a very low ebb but manages to get guidance from a Merlin type figure.
Quote examples
Huston Smith
American Theologian
At the center of the religious life is a peculiar kind of joy, the prospect of a happy ending that blossoms from necessarily painful ordeals, the promise of human difficulties embraced and overcome.
Quote examples
Brooks Atkinson
American Critic
People everywhere enjoy believing things that they know are not true. It spares them the ordeal of thinking for themselves and taking responsibility for what they know.
Quote examples
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Indian Director
I'm petrified of facing the camera. Even to shoot for a photograph is an ordeal. But it's important to break free of your inhibitions at some point in your life.
Quote examples
Neeraj Kabi
Indian Actor
My biggest inspiration has been life for me. Basic survival has been my biggest teacher. Surviving in Mumbai for so many years has been a huge ordeal.
Quote examples
Sylvie Guillem
French Dancer
As a child, I was afraid of everything. My parents were shy, the kind of people for whom it is an ordeal to go and buy some bread or whatever.
Quote examples
Winston Churchill
British Statesman
I am prepared to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.
Quote examples
Amanda Lindhout
Canadian Journalist
I went through an extremely trying ordeal, but I never forgot the world outside was a beautiful place.
Example 1 of 10
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