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calvary

calvary

9.9
A long, very painful experience that tests a person deeply
  • noun
  • /ˈkæl.və.ri/
  • Literature
translation icon : calvario
  • After losing his job, he described the financial struggles as a calvary that tested his resilience.

And we are now our own Calvary, right?

Examples

  • The team faced a calvary during the championship game, battling injuries and exhaustion.

  • Going through a calvary of heartbreak has made her appreciate happiness even more.

  • - Just like the calvary.

  • Look, if you can handle the calvary, I'll go to my boat and get a couple things done.

  • Instruct 14th calvary to attack!

  • Where's the calvary?

  • The churchyard calvary of Locmaria-Lann, erected by Tanguy de Carman and his wife Louise de Lafforest, had their arms on the back of the monument, for the superior Rohan family's arms were placed on the front.

    Academic text (2018)

Synonyms

hell
vscalvary
  • Informal
3.7

A very painful or difficult experience

focuses on being a defined severe ordeal or specific trial
crucifixion
vscalvary
  • NSFW
5 9.3

Very painful suffering that feels like being punished or tortured

refers to intense suffering not necessarily caused by punishment or torture
martyrdom
vscalvary
4 8.3

A long painful experience that someone endures for a belief or cause

is suffering seen as a severe ordeal without needing a cause
via crucis
vscalvary
  • Literature
9.9

A long painful time someone must go through to reach a goal

is a severe ordeal that need not be prolonged or goal directed
calvary of heartbreak
vscalvary
  • Literature
9.9

A long, very painful time after a big emotional loss

is the same intense suffering but not limited to emotional pain
daily crucifixion
vscalvary
  • Literature
9.9

Constant pain or trouble that you feel every day

is an intense ordeal that need not be constant or daily

Antonyms

joy
793 1.0

A strong feeling of great happiness

190 1.0

A feeling of physical ease and being free from pain

Compounds

A plant that lives for one year with spiny seed pods and dark spots on its leaves

A Latin cross set on three steps often on gravestones or altars

9.9

A long, very painful time after a big emotional loss

A cross on three steps that represents the hill where Jesus died on a cross

How Painful

agony
135 3.9
torment
  • NSFW
70 5.6
calvary
  • Literature
9.9
hardship
128 3.4
suffering
636 2.8
trouble
1.0
difficulty
651 2.4

Surface Forms

calvary singular
calvaries plural

Etymology

Calvary comes from the hill where Jesus was crucified, from Latin Calvaria meaning 'skull' or 'place of skulls'. Because that hill stood for great suffering, calvary now means a long, painful trial.