trib·u·la·tion

(trĭb′yə-lā′shən)

1. Great affliction, trial, or distress; suffering: a time of great tribulation. See Synonyms at trial.

2. An experience that tests one's endurance, patience, or faith. See Synonyms at burden.

[Middle English tribulacioun, from Old French tribulacion, from Latin trībulātiō, trībulātiōn-, from trībulātus, past participle of trībulāre, to oppress, from Latin trībulum, threshing-sledge; see terə- in Indo-European roots.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

tribulation

(ˌtrɪbjʊˈleɪʃən)

1. a cause of distress

2. a state of suffering or distress

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

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

trib•u•la•tion

(ˌtrɪb yəˈleɪ ʃən)

n.

1. grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering.

2. an instance of this; an affliction, trouble, or woe.

[1175–1225; Middle English < Late Latin trībulātiō distress, trouble = Latin tribulā(re) to squeeze, derivative of tribulum threshing sledge (trī, variant s. of terere to rub, crush + -bulum n. suffix of instrument)]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

tribulation - an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event; "his mother-in-law's visits were a great trial for him"; "life is full of tribulations"; "a visitation of the plague"

visitation, trial

affliction - a cause of great suffering and distress

fire - a severe trial; "he went through fire and damnation"

tribulation

noun trouble, care, suffering, worry, trial, blow, pain, burden, distress, grief, misery, curse, ordeal, hardship, sorrow, woe, hassle (informal), misfortune, bad luck, unhappiness, heartache, adversity, affliction, bummer (slang), wretchedness, vexation, ill fortune, cross to bear the trials and tribulations of everyday life
rest, ease, pleasure, joy, blessing, happiness, bliss, good fortune

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

tribulation

noun

1. Something hard to bear physically or emotionally:

affliction, burden, cross, trial.

2. A state of pain or anguish that tests one's resiliency and character:

crucible, ordeal, trial, visitation.

Translations

Drangsal

tribolazione afflizione tormento

beproeving

motgang prøvelse trengsel

tribulation

[ˌtrɪbjʊˈleɪʃən] N

1. (frm) → tribulación f

2. tribulations → aflicciones fpl

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

tribulation

[ˌtrɪbjʊˈleɪʃ^ən] n → malheur m
trials and tribulations
the trials and tribulations of everyday life → les tribulations de la vie quotidienne

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

tribulation

n → Kummer m no pl; tribulations → Sorgen pl; (less serious) → Kümmernisse pl; to bear one’s tribulations bravely → sein Leid nt → tapfer tragen ? trial

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

tribulation

[ˌtrɪbjʊˈleɪʃ/ən] n (frm) → tribolazione f

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

Without vouching for the truth of such traditions, it is certain that Mistress Dudley sometimes assembled a few of the stanch, though crestfallen, old Tories, who had lingered in the rebel town during those days of wrath and tribulation. Out of a cobwebbed bottle, containing liquor that a royal Governor might have smacked his lips over, they quaffed healths to the King, and babbled treason to the Republic, feeling as if the protecting shadow of the throne were still flung around them.

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"It was": thus is the Will's teeth-gnashing and lonesomest tribulation called.

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Occasionally, during the following month, I dropped in at 117 Wall Street to inquire how the repairing and refurnishing of the vessel was coming on, how additions to the passenger list were averaging, how many people the committee were decreeing not "select" every day and banishing in sorrow and tribulation. I was glad to know that we were to have a little printing press on board and issue a daily newspaper of our own.

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.year in and year out, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation. .

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The little schoolhouse on the hill had its moments of triumph as well as its scenes of tribulation, but it was fortunate that Rebecca had her books and her new acquaintances to keep her interested and occupied, or life would have gone heavily with her that first summer in Riverboro.

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She used never to make any return to my affection before, but now tribulation has opened her heart.

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He asked himself whether God was just in inflicting so much tribulation on two innocent creatures.

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And then I will go of myself to be crucified, for it's not merry-making I seek but tears and tribulation!

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Amy was learning this distinction through much tribulation, for mistaking enthusiasm for inspiration, she attempted every branch of art with youthful audacity.

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She was watching the motions of her father with a look of anxious and filial affection, while he paced the apartment with a dejected mien and disordered step; sometimes clasping his hands together sometimes casting his eyes to the roof of the apartment, as one who laboured under great mental tribulation. ``O, Jacob!'' he exclaimed ``O, all ye twelve Holy Fathers of our tribe!

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This tempest and tribulation lasted about two hours, at the end of which he was left, not like his master, but so weak and exhausted that he could not stand.

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For a moment the voices cheered the heart of Tess, till she reasoned that this interview had its origin, on one side or the other, in the same attraction which had been the prelude to her own tribulation. When she came close the girl turned serenely and recognized her, the young man walking off in embarrassment.

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