Gehenna

noun

Ge·hen·na gi-ˈhe-nə

: a place or state of misery

: hell sense 1a(2)

Examples of Gehenna in a Sentence

the depression that has enshrouded her since the death of her husband is a Gehenna from which she may never be released in a fire-and-brimstone sermon, the evangelist warned those assembled that they faced the fires of Gehenna if they failed to repent

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek Geenna, from Hebrew Gē' Hinnōm, literally, valley of Hinnom

First Known Use

circa 1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of Gehenna was circa 1534

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gehenna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Gehenna. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

negotiate

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Gehenna

noun

Synonyms

Examples of Gehenna in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near Gehenna

Cite this Entry