as in fires
a test of faith, patience, or strength
the hikers were finally rescued after a three-day ordeal in the wilderness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of ordeals
The medical ordeals are traumatic and disgusting, but fascinating and full of the quirks of modern life.
—
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Both women survived, but are still reeling from ordeals that have drawn national attention — in part, because they were captured on video and shared on social media.
—CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
On Instagram, and even on her reality show, Kardashian comes across as thrillingly impervious, wearing impassivity like body armor and putting her body and face through Olympian ordeals to draw our collective gaze.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025
In today’s housing market, even the lucky ones often face exhausting ordeals and need to stretch their budgets to land a home.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
Kruse and Fialko invested seven figures into rebuilding Priscilla’s brand, stabilizing her finances, settling her lawsuits, cleaning up numerous private family ordeals, and attempting to help Priscilla repair her relationship with her daughter.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Both women survived, but are still reeling from ordeals that have drawn national attention — in part, because they were captured on video and shared on social media.
—CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
On Instagram, and even on her reality show, Kardashian comes across as thrillingly impervious, wearing impassivity like body armor and putting her body and face through Olympian ordeals to draw our collective gaze.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025
In today’s housing market, even the lucky ones often face exhausting ordeals and need to stretch their budgets to land a home.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
Kruse and Fialko invested seven figures into rebuilding Priscilla’s brand, stabilizing her finances, settling her lawsuits, cleaning up numerous private family ordeals, and attempting to help Priscilla repair her relationship with her daughter.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordeals
Noun
-
The Yuma County Sheriff's Office said the same person has been starting fires for more than two years, including one that burned more than 12,000 acres near County Road 33 in December.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Those odds proved to be correct, as One Battle and Sinners added the final jewels to their respective gauntlets en route to this Sunday’s Academy Awards.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
-
However, according to Sounwave, Lamar’s chief producer and longtime friend, GNX was in the works long before any gauntlets were thrown.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Detainees have very little access to due process — prisoners are often judged in mass trials, and lawyers regularly lose track of their clients.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The Board of Rights hearings are mini-trials in which the officer and department officials present evidence and call witnesses.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ordeals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordeals. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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