trials and tribulations
plural noun
formal
: difficult experiences, problems, etc.
the trials and tribulations of starting a new business
Examples of trials and tribulations in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After the war, rapid change sweeps through her town during the Reconstruction Era all while Scarlett is dealing with the trials and tribulations of love.
—
Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
There’s been some trauma bonding that led them to this moment — there are few men in the world who can understand the trials and tribulations that come with coaching in the pressure cooker of New York and New Jersey.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
But also the archives made by the Earth herself, its past trials and tribulations frozen among its glaciers in the amber of time.
—Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 27 Jan. 2026
Iwerks focuses on the trials and tribulations of the year leading up to the opening day of Walt Disney’s original magic kingdom in 1955.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trials and tribulations
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
There’s been some trauma bonding that led them to this moment — there are few men in the world who can understand the trials and tribulations that come with coaching in the pressure cooker of New York and New Jersey.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
But also the archives made by the Earth herself, its past trials and tribulations frozen among its glaciers in the amber of time.
—Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 27 Jan. 2026
Iwerks focuses on the trials and tribulations of the year leading up to the opening day of Walt Disney’s original magic kingdom in 1955.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trials and tribulations
Cite this Entry
“Trials and tribulations.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trials%20and%20tribulations. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
