Ordeal

An ordeal is a difficult or painful experience, a trial or tribulation, or a severe test of character or endurance. It can involve physical suffering, emotional hardship, or a combination of both. The term often implies a prolonged and challenging period. Historically, 'ordeal' also referred to a primitive method of determining guilt or innocence by subjecting the accused to dangerous tests, based on the belief that divine intervention would protect the innocent.

Ordeal meaning with examples

• The hikers faced a grueling ordeal when they became lost in the wilderness for several days, battling extreme weather conditions and dwindling supplies before being found.
• After a public scandal, the politician underwent a media ordeal, enduring constant scrutiny and criticism that severely tested his reputation and personal life.
• The surgery was an ordeal; recovery was long and painful, but she bravely persevered through physical therapy and gradually regained her strength.
• Starting a new business was an entrepreneurial ordeal, involving long hours, financial risks, and setbacks before finally achieving profitability and success.
• The refugee family described their perilous journey across the border as an ordeal filled with hardship and uncertainty, hoping to finally arrive in safety.