ordeal
A very difficult or unpleasant experience that goes on for some time.
ordeal in a sentence
- Crossing the swamp in the dark was an ordeal none of the explorers wanted to repeat.
- Waiting three hours at the airport with a broken suitcase was quite an ordeal for the whole family.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to ordeal?
- Atrial
- Bpleasure
- Cjoy
- Dtreat
Show the answer
A: trial. The other three mean the opposite of ordeal.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to ordeal?
- Atrial
- Bpleasure
- Cnightmare
- Dstruggle
Show the answer
B: pleasure. The other three mean nearly the same as ordeal.
Words that mean something similar
trial, struggle, nightmare
Words that mean the opposite
pleasure, joy, treat
More words about time & change
- origin: The point where something begins or comes from.
- originate: To start or come from a particular place or time.
- overdue: Later than it should be.
- perish: To die, or to be destroyed or ruined.
- potential: Possible in the future, though not happening yet.
- predicament: A tricky situation that is hard to get out of.
- prevail: To win in the end or to be the strongest.
- previous: Coming before the one you are talking about.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test