TRIBULATION Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

tribulation

noun

ˌtri-byə-ˈlā-shən

Definition of tribulation

as in distress

a state of great suffering of body or mind a documentary chronicling the lasting tribulation of Holocaust survivors

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of tribulation In great detail and with candid memories, the book narrates the trials, tribulations, and tragedies from the band’s formation in 1984 through the current day, including emotional and personal reflections on the life and death of one of its own superheroes, Chris Cornell. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 June 2026 But Johnson, a West Sider and member of the nondemonational Lawndale Christian Community Church, has frequently leaned on his base within the Black church during times of tribulation in office. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026 My job is going to be to provide stability and respite from the tribulations beyond our threshold, to be one of the not-bad things that happen to her in a life where bad things inevitably will. — Raven Smith, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2026 The new film, which is both written and directed by the franchise’s longtime screenwriter John Hamburg, sees Grande play Olivia Jones, the fiancé of Pam and Greg Focker’s son who now has to endure the tribulations of meeting the parents (and grandparents) before joining the family. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tribulation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tribulation

Noun

Its movements and squeaks change in response to the person interacting with it, giving caregivers another way to reduce distress and encourage engagement.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
He was found kneeling in front of a piano and striking the keys, in apparent distress.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of distress

Noun

Bugs Bunny jams himself against the edge and grits his teeth in agony.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
The striking bronze sculpture depicts an outstretched arm reaching to the sky as hundreds of small human figures cling to it and each other with expressions of agony.

— Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of agony

Noun

Jordan, to whom scorn comes more naturally than grace, accuses him of envying the rest of the troupe’s ennobling misery.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Some residents said hope is elusive given the island’s litany of miseries – from natural disasters to a bankrupt government to a financial control board that manages funding for infrastructure.

— Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of misery

Noun

For Alex’s family, those seven months have done little to dull the anguish over what happened to him — or their determination to see the two officers who fired the shots held responsible.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Some say there is a fine line between anguish or sadness — and laughter.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of anguish

Noun

For a dressier option, the Franco Sarto Loran Slides are heralded by a Travel+Leisure writer who recently wore them all over Europe with zero foot pain.

— Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
The hospital basically told me to get over it and sleep it off but the pain was traumatic physically and mentally.

— Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of pain

Browse Nearby Words

tribes

tribulation

tribulations

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“Tribulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tribulation. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tribulation

noun

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