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

Under the hashtag #RaptureTok, creators are claiming that on September 23 and 24, 2025, faithful Christians will be swept into Heaven, leaving everyone else behind to endure seven terrible years of tribulation.

From Salon

Like Dickens’ character on that mountaintop, we can all sense the tribulation to come.

From Salon

Recently, Rowntree spoke with The Times about all its trials and tribulations — and, perhaps, indulge in some reminiscence.

From Los Angeles Times

Four long days of painstaking concentration, trials and tribulations as rivals fall by the wayside - all for the chance to witness this kind of compelling climax.

From BBC

It's a timeless story - one that's destined to be repeated at fresher's weeks across the country this autumn - and set in motion a career-long narrative about Swift's romantic tribulations.

From BBC

Related Words

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