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.
Synonyms of ordeal
Examples of ordeal in a Sentence
the hikers were finally rescued after a three-day ordeal in the wilderness
Recent Examples on the Web
In a series of posts to social media on Tuesday, March 31, Kristin Gallant, a parenting coach and co-founder of Big Little Feelings, detailed a scary ordeal that left her spouse Tyler hospitalized in Desert Regional Medical Center’s ER for their 10-year-anniversary.
—
Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
For Nissa True, the owner of Smithville’s Pizza Shoppe, the community support has made the whole ordeal much easier to endure.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
Wenrick said the department hired an outside firm to investigate the entire ordeal, which includes determining why the patrol was left unlocked.
—Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
The artist went viral this month after prevailing in a legal ordeal that began four years ago when authorities raided his home to search for evidence for drug trafficking and kidnapping, but failed to find any.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ordeal
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Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
For Nissa True, the owner of Smithville’s Pizza Shoppe, the community support has made the whole ordeal much easier to endure.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
Wenrick said the department hired an outside firm to investigate the entire ordeal, which includes determining why the patrol was left unlocked.
—Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
The artist went viral this month after prevailing in a legal ordeal that began four years ago when authorities raided his home to search for evidence for drug trafficking and kidnapping, but failed to find any.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ordeal
Cite this Entry
“Ordeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ordeal. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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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