26984 words

ordeal

3 definitions • 4 examples
1

Examples:

The hostages' ordeal came to an end when soldiers stormed the building.
2
in the past, a way of trying to find out if someone is guilty or innocent by making them suffer extreme pain. If they did not die, this was considered proof from God that they were innocent:

Examples:

Prior to the twelfth century the judicial ordeal was a pervasive mode of proof.
When he declined to test the validity of his apocalyptic prophecies with an ordeal by fire, he was arrested and hanged.
3
an experience that is very painful, difficult, or tiring:

Examples:

Her seven-month stay in the hospital was quite an ordeal.

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