Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun ordeal

2 senses of ordeal

Sense 1
ordeal -- (a severe or trying experience)
       => experience -- (an event as apprehended; "a surprising experience"; "that painful experience certainly got our attention")

Sense 2
ordeal, trial by ordeal -- (a primitive method of determining a person's guilt or innocence by subjecting the accused person to dangerous or painful tests believed to be under divine control; escape was usually taken as a sign of innocence)
       => trial -- ((law) the determination of a person's innocence or guilt by due process of law; "he had a fair trial and the jury found him guilty"; "most of these complaints are settled before they go to trial")