ordeal
noun
or·deal
ȯr-ˈdē(-ə)l 
ˈȯr-ˌdē(-ə)l
1
: a primitive means used to determine guilt or innocence by submitting the accused to dangerous or painful tests believed to be under supernatural control
ordeal by fire
ordeal by water
2
: a severe trial or experience
Being trapped in an elevator was a harrowing ordeal for the shoppers.
Examples of ordeal in a Sentence
the hikers were finally rescued after a three-day ordeal in the wilderness
Recent Examples on the Web
Regardless, Sumner said, responding to an outbreak is an expensive ordeal for a dairy farm.
—
Annika Merrilees, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2025
Former Vice President Mike Pence, speaking in Hong Kong in January, called on Beijing to end Lai’s ordeal.
—Reuters, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2025
Her ordeal is very real — her jaw hurts from those mysterious dental procedures, and her hand aches from writing thank you cards to fictional friends and family — but Mark’s experience only exists in his memories.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 28 Feb. 2025
Now, Chad — along with his older sister Shari and father Kevin — is speaking out about his family’s tragic ordeal for the first time in the Hulu's docuseries Devil In The Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, which premiered on Feb. 27.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ordeal
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Annika Merrilees, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2025
Former Vice President Mike Pence, speaking in Hong Kong in January, called on Beijing to end Lai’s ordeal.
—Reuters, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2025
Her ordeal is very real — her jaw hurts from those mysterious dental procedures, and her hand aches from writing thank you cards to fictional friends and family — but Mark’s experience only exists in his memories.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 28 Feb. 2025
Now, Chad — along with his older sister Shari and father Kevin — is speaking out about his family’s tragic ordeal for the first time in the Hulu's docuseries Devil In The Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, which premiered on Feb. 27.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ordeal
Cite this Entry
“Ordeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ordeal. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ordeal
noun
or·deal
ȯr-ˈdē(-ə)l
1
: a method of deciding guilt or innocence by making the accused person take dangerous or painful tests
ordeal by fire
2
: a severe test or experience
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