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ordeal Definition

or·deal (ôr dēl, ôrdēl′)

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

Etymology: 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

ordeal Synonyms

ordeal

n.

ordeal Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • harrow: The most wonderful day of your life, or a financially harrowing ordeal from which you'll never recover?
  • survive: Luckily, the machine survived the ordeal, without damage to the HD.
  • endure: Once more, I had to endure the ordeal of the outward sign of urinary incontinence.
  • undergo: Mr Munson had agreed to undergo the ordeal to raise funds for the Jeans for Genes appeal.
  • suffer: A long time heavy smoker he is suffering the most terrible ordeal.
  • face: Some victims may prefer to suffer in silence rather than to face the ordeal of getting involved in the Criminal Justice process.

Preposition: at

hand: This followed a two year ordeal at the hands of the Standards Board.

Converse of subject

shake: The woman, who was shaken by the ordeal, said he ran off toward the lake.

Adjective modifier

  • terrifying: Read her terrifying ordeal on page 44 of CG!
  • grueling: Naturally, students facing the grueling ordeal of exams need to be fighting fit.
  • fiery: First Peter 4:12, " Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you.
  • horrific: The following is the story of a 28-year-old Staffordshire woman who suffered a horrific ordeal after her drink was spiked.
  • horrendous: He said: " Zara has been subjected to a horrendous ordeal.
  • terrible: Not for days to come either, for first of all there was the terrible ordeal of the Geneva gig to get through.

Noun used with modifier

  • hostage: Blackout: the safest way to report a hostage ordeal?
  • terror: Priest's robbery terror ordeal - 01/03/05 Log in to remember this page.
  • hour: Karma Sutra were given the full- on treatment by the customs ie Strip search dismantling the van all in all a 6 hour ordeal!
  • poison: They were, however, prohibited from engaging in the poison ordeal, enslavement or brutal punishment.

Preposition: of

trial: Darren had been preparing himself for the terrifying ordeal of a murder trial.

Preposition: by

fire: As a test of her purity, she is commanded to undergo an ordeal by fire.

Browse dictionary entries near ordeal

  1. ordained
  2. ordain
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  4. Orcus
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  7. orchil
  8. orchiectomy
  9. orchidotomy
  10. orchidology
  1. order
  2. order arms
  3. order imbalance
  4. Order of the Garter
  5. order to show cause
  6. ordered
  7. ordering
  8. orderly
  9. orderwire
  10. ordinal