ordeals
Severely trying experiences
Ordeals is the plural of ordeal, a difficult or painful experience that tests endurance or character.
The word originally referred to medieval trials where guilt was determined by subjecting the accused to fire, water, or combat—survival proved innocence.
Modern use is usually less dramatic: the ordeal of chemotherapy, surviving the ordeal of a cross-country move with toddlers.
Formal admission ceremony
- riteCeremonial act or practice
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- trial by fireTest through difficult experience
- hazingAbusive initiation practices
test · passage · purification · baptism by fire · crucible · gauntlet · pilgrimage · fasting
Evaluative examination
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- difficultyState of being hard
- battleArmed military engagement
confrontation · quest · trial · gauntlet · hurdle · undertaking · endeavor · feat
Extreme physical or emotional pain
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- miseryIntense prolonged distress
- traumaLasting psychological wound
distress · pain · hardship · adversity · affliction · tribulation · woe · grief
Sustained resolve despite obstacles
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
grit · determination · steadfastness · patience · toughness · survival · persistence · willpower
Judicial examination of claims
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
- interrogationFormal, probing examination
- witness standPlace for giving testimony
inquisition · tribunal · hearing · prosecution · defense · verdict · judgment · accusation
initiation
Formal admission ceremony
- riteCeremonial act or practice
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- trial by fireTest through difficult experience
hazing · test · passage · purification · baptism by fire · crucible · gauntlet · pilgrimage · fasting · vision quest
test
Evaluative examination
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- difficultyState of being hard
battle · confrontation · quest · trial · gauntlet · hurdle · undertaking · endeavor · feat · conquest
agony
Extreme physical or emotional pain
trauma · distress · pain · hardship · adversity · affliction · tribulation · woe · grief · heartache
perseverance
Sustained resolve despite obstacles
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
tenacity · grit · determination · steadfastness · patience · toughness · survival · persistence · willpower · courage
trial
Judicial examination of claims
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
- interrogationFormal, probing examination
witness stand · inquisition · tribunal · hearing · prosecution · defense · verdict · judgment · accusation · examination
- annoyancesannoyance, annoyances, irritations, irritation, nuisance
- hardshipshardship, adversity, struggle, misfortune, difficulties
- Frankish lawcomes, ban, formulae, formularies, blood feud
- blundersblunder, blunders, blundered, mistakes, botch
- Daily hasslesred tape, paperwork, delays, traffic, waiting
- sufferingagony, anguish, misery, pain, torment
ordealspleasures
Sources of enjoyment
delights · joys · treats · blessings · enjoyments
ordealsbreezes
Light, gentle winds
cakewalks · smooth sailing · picnics · child's play · cinches
ordealsbreeze
Light, gentle air movement
cakewalk · walk in the park · smooth sailing · picnic · child's play
- trial by ordealGuilt determined through suffering
- ordeal by fireJudgment through burning
- ordeal by combatJudicial duel deciding guilt
- ordeal by waterJudicial test using submersion