noun a difficult or painful experience
adjective relating to a difficult or painful experience
In historical contexts, ordeals were commonly used as a means of determining guilt or innocence in legal proceedings, often based on superstition or religious beliefs.
In mythology, an ordeal may be a task or trial that a hero must overcome in order to achieve a goal or prove their worthiness.
In psychology, an ordeal can refer to a traumatic or stressful experience that a person undergoes, which may have lasting effects on their mental health.
In legal contexts, an ordeal refers to a form of trial by which the guilt or innocence of the accused is determined through a painful or dangerous physical test, such as walking barefoot over hot coals.
In survival situations, an ordeal can describe a challenging or life-threatening situation that a person must endure in order to survive.
The main character in the novel faced a series of ordeals that tested his courage and determination.
The psychologist helped the patient process the emotional trauma of the ordeal they had experienced.
The lawyer argued that the defendant had suffered enough during the ordeal and deserved leniency.
The doctor provided medical care and counseling to the survivor of the ordeal to help them recover physically and emotionally.