ordeal
noun
or·deal
ȯr-ˈdē(-ə)l 
ˈȯr-ˌdē(-ə)l
1
: a primitive means used to determine guilt or innocence by submitting the accused to dangerous or painful tests believed to be under supernatural control
ordeal by fire
ordeal by water
2
: a severe trial or experience
Being trapped in an elevator was a harrowing ordeal for the shoppers.
Examples of ordeal in a Sentence
the hikers were finally rescued after a three-day ordeal in the wilderness
Recent Examples on the Web
Spoelstra even admits that the Butler ordeal challenged him.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2025
The search for a kidney donor proved to be a challenging ordeal, with numerous potential donors either facing health issues or failing to match.
—Julia Fomby, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Instead, Ulman doesn’t make her role the more conscious exception and lets the ordeal play out with Elena being mostly a complicit bystander.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025
The exam itself can take as long as five hours, and is, even under optimal circumstances, an invasive and upsetting ordeal.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ordeal 
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Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2025
The search for a kidney donor proved to be a challenging ordeal, with numerous potential donors either facing health issues or failing to match.
—Julia Fomby, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Instead, Ulman doesn’t make her role the more conscious exception and lets the ordeal play out with Elena being mostly a complicit bystander.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025
The exam itself can take as long as five hours, and is, even under optimal circumstances, an invasive and upsetting ordeal.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ordeal
Dictionary Entries Near ordeal
Cite this Entry
“Ordeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ordeal. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ordeal
noun
or·deal
ȯr-ˈdē(-ə)l
1
: a method of deciding guilt or innocence by making the accused person take dangerous or painful tests
ordeal by fire
2
: a severe test or experience
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