ordeal
1 synonyms and 0 antonyms for ordeal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A very difficult, painful, or exhausting experience.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use ordeal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English ordēl, literally "a judgement dealt out" — related to the modern word "deal."
Full origin of ordeal →Frequently asked questions
What does “ordeal” mean?
The word “ordeal” means a very difficult, painful, or exhausting experience. In plain terms, a harsh, drawn-out experience that tests someone's endurance — historically, a trial by dangerous physical test.
How do you pronounce “ordeal”?
“Ordeal” is pronounced aw-DEEL (/ɔɹˈdil/ in IPA).
How do you use “ordeal” in a sentence?
Here is “ordeal” used in a sentence: “The hostages described their three-day ordeal in harrowing detail.”
What part of speech is “ordeal”?
“Ordeal” is a noun.
Where does the word “ordeal” come from?
The word “ordeal” comes from Old English. From Old English ordēl, literally "a judgement dealt out" — related to the modern word "deal.".
Is “ordeal” a common word?
“Ordeal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ordeal” have?
“Ordeal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a very difficult, painful, or exhausting experience.