tribulation

American  

[trib-yuh-lay-shuhn] / ˌtrɪb jəˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

• tribulations
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• tribulations
  plural

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

Explanation

Tribulation is suffering or trouble, usually resulting from oppression. The tribulations of a coal miner include a dangerous work environment, lung disease from black dust and a cramped, dark work space. When you encounter the word tribulation, it will usually be in the company of the word trial as in, “She suffered many trials and tribulations as an early feminist.” The two words, while not identical, emphasize each other as they essentially mean testing and suffering. Tribulation comes from the Latin verb tribulare "to oppress, afflict."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tribulation tribulations

They thought they needed to keep themselves spiritually pure to survive the coming tribulation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026

Howard sings about seeking, and claiming, the strength to rise above obstacles and tribulation: “I am not fearless but fear will stop me,” she vows.

From New York Times ● Apr. 28, 2023

References to God, such “ya Allah” and “Allahu akhbar,” can be heard in times of tribulation or celebration.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 10, 2022

Some believe the rapture will occur before the tribulation, some after, and some not at all.

From Slate ● Oct. 6, 2022

After years and years of tribulation and controversy, and the brouhaha about the match, Fischer had arrived at the threshold of his lifelong goal.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

It reminds me of how, recently, my younger sister — deep in the trials and tribulations of planning her wedding look — called me sounding breathless and almost conspiratorial.

From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026

"You have the trials and the tribulations, you win some, you lose some, you make progress, you sometimes have setbacks, but you have made it, and this day we've made it," added the CEO.

From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026

He gave voice to the hopes and fears, trials and tribulations, of ordinary Indians as well as the country's elite.

From BBC ● Jan. 25, 2026

The late P-22 — a celebrity mountain lion that inhabited Griffith Park – personified the tribulations facing his kind.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 10, 2025

Years of marriage, love, loss, trials, and tribulations were written in every wrinkle, line, spot, and curve of their faces.

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai

Related Words

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