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
Four other individuals hid in a storage closet throughout the ordeal.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
The five-hour ordeal ended after the hostage fled while retrieving water, prompting Akkad to chase him into the street, where he was hit by a police car.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Nevertheless, every attempt to escape became an ordeal.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
In the original video shared to his 10 million followers, Lil Nas X kept a positive attitude about the ordeal, joking and demonstrating how half his face had become immobile.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ordeal
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
The five-hour ordeal ended after the hostage fled while retrieving water, prompting Akkad to chase him into the street, where he was hit by a police car.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Nevertheless, every attempt to escape became an ordeal.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
In the original video shared to his 10 million followers, Lil Nas X kept a positive attitude about the ordeal, joking and demonstrating how half his face had become immobile.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 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 2 May. 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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