If you describe an experience or situation as an ordeal, you think it is difficult and unpleasant.
...the painful ordeal of the last eight months.
She described her agonising ordeal.
Synonyms: hardship, trial, difficulty, test More Synonyms of ordeal
ordeal in British English
(ɔːˈdiːl)
noun
1.
a severe or trying experience
2. history
a method of trial in which the guilt or innocence of an accused person was determined by subjecting him or her to physical danger, esp by fire or water. The outcome was regarded as an indication of divine judgment
Word origin
Old English ordāl, ordēl; related to Old Frisian ordēl, Old High German urteili (German Urteil) verdict. See deal1, dole1
ordeal in American English
(ɔrˈdil; ˈɔrˌdil)
noun
1.
an ancient method of trial in which the accused was exposed to physical dangers, from which he or she was supposed to be divinely protected if innocent
2.
any difficult, painful, or trying experience; severe trial
Word origin
ME ordal < OE, akin to Ger urteil, judgment < WGmc *uzdailjo-, what is dealt out < *uzdailjan, to deal out, allot, adjudge < *uz-, out + *dailjan < *dails, a part, share
COBUILD Collocations
ordeal
harrowing ordeal
horrific ordeal
survive the ordeal
terrible ordeal
terrifying ordeal
Examples of 'ordeal' in a sentence
ordeal
Each time he came close to giving up he was jolted out of his despondency by a fresh physical ordeal.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
All I can think is, what a terrifying ordeal.
The Sun (2016)
The harrowing ordeal was to last two hours.
The Sun (2013)
But the trial by ordeal through which he must pass is a fair one.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You subjected her to an extremely painful ordeal that beggars belief.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They would have been oblivious to the violence that had taken place and my continuing terrifying ordeal.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Her ordeal lasted little more than a minute.
The Sun (2011)
Normal routines like going to the shops became a terrifying ordeal.
The Sun (2012)
It was the most terrifying ordeal of my life.
The Sun (2013)
Trial by ordeal was abolished completely.
Jonathan Gregson BLOOD AGAINST THE SNOWS: The Tragic Story of Nepal's Royal Dynasty (2002)
At last the ordeal was over.
Christianity Today (2000)
His ordeal lasted two days because the brother of the friend with whom he was arrested was a member of the militia.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
That's what trial by ordeal would have been like.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Giving evidence was an ordeal but the trial 's outcome was a huge vindication.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I woke with a thumping head and flashes of being through a painful ordeal.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
I rarely had an outward scar to show for my painful ordeals.
Turner, Janine Behind Closed Doors - advice for families with violence in the home (1988)
My ordeal was finally over.
The Sun (2012)
Chile rejoiced, but the miners' ordeal was only beginning.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Families of other members of Pakistan's early teams experienced similar ordeals.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But he said he had been subjected to'a very unpleasant ordeal '.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
To the surprise of many, he remains at the helm despite this most depressing afternoon of a season that has become an ongoing ordeal by fire.
The Sun (2015)
In other languages
ordeal
British English: ordeal /ɔːˈdiːl/ NOUN
An ordeal is an extremely unpleasant and difficult experience.
The attack was a terrifying ordeal for both victims.
American English: ordeal
Arabic: مُصِيبَة
Brazilian Portuguese: provação
Chinese: 折磨
Croatian: kušnja
Czech: utrpení
Danish: prøvelse
Dutch: beproeving
European Spanish: suplicio
Finnish: koettelemus
French: épreuve difficulté
German: Qual
Greek: δοκιμασία
Italian: prova ardua
Japanese: 苦しい体験
Korean: 시련
Norwegian: prøvelse
Polish: ciężka próba
European Portuguese: provação
Romanian: caznă
Russian: суровое испытание
Latin American Spanish: suplicio
Swedish: prövning
Thai: ประสบการณ์ที่ทารุณ
Turkish: çetin sınav
Ukrainian: тяжке випробування
Vietnamese: sự thử thách
Chinese translation of 'ordeal'
ordeal
(ɔːˈdiːl)
n(c)
煎熬 (jiān'áo) (种(種), zhǒng)
(noun)
Definition
a severe or trying experience
the painful ordeal of identifying the body
Synonyms
hardship
Many people are suffering economic hardship.
trial
the trials of adolescence
difficulty
test
labour
suffering
It has caused terrible suffering to animals.
trouble(s)
nightmare
My years in prison were a nightmare.
burden
torture
Waiting for the result was torture.
misery
All that money brought nothing but misery.
agony
We accepted there would be agony for the remaining children.
torment
We spent our days in torment, waiting for news.
anguish
A cry of anguish burst from her lips.
toil
affliction
Hay fever is an affliction that arrives at an early age.