tribulation

[trib-yuh-ley-shuhn]

noun

1. grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering.

   Synonyms: adversity, distress, hardship, affliction

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

tribulation

/ ˌtrɪbjʊˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. a cause of distress

2. a state of suffering or distress

Word History and Origins

Origin of tribulation¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tribulation¹

C13: from Old French, from Church Latin trībulātiō , from Latin trībulāre to afflict, from trībulum a threshing board, from terere to rub

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.”

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

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

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

Read more on Salon

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

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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