tribulation

American  

[trib-yuh-ley-shuhn] / ˌtrɪb yəˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

1. grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering.

   Synonyms:

   adversity , distress , hardship , affliction

2. an instance of this; an affliction, trouble, etc.

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tribulation British  

/ ˌtrɪbjʊˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. a cause of distress

2. a state of suffering or distress

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Etymology

Origin of tribulation

1175–1225; Middle English < Latin trībulātiōn- (stem of trībulātiō ) distress, trouble, equivalent to trībulāt ( us ) (past participle of trībulāre to press, squeeze, derivative of trībulum threshing sledge, equivalent to trī-, variant stem of terere to rub, crush + -bulum noun suffix of instrument) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

“When I am back home,” in Modesto, Calif., Crane says, “I can take the daily tribulations that we all encounter and see them as the minor things they are.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The character of Bridget Jones went straight to many women's hearts, who took comfort in her trials and tribulations.

From BBC

This is something Lina, whose comedy is often about the trials and tribulations of raising four children, often does.

From BBC

We learn more about her parents, their parents, her siblings, her friends and neighbors, and their adventures, trials and tribulations.

From Salon

A full third episode sequence involves Allura listing, in extreme detail, the onslaught of treatments she undertakes to forget her marital tribulations.

From Salon

Related Words

• adversity
• grief
• heartache
• misery
• misfortune
• woe