# tribulation

/ˌtɹɪbjəˈɫeɪʃən/ (US) · /tɹˌɪbjʊlˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tribulation
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. great trouble or suffering

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a situation that causes a lot of worry, pain, or difficulty over a long time.

For teachers: a state of great affliction, distress, or suffering; a trying experience that tests one's endurance.

- The family faced many tribulations during their first year in the new country.
- The biography details the various trials and tribulations the artist endured before finally achieving international recognition in her sixties.

Usage: Commonly appears in the fixed binomial phrase 'trials and tribulations'.

### 2. religious period of suffering

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

in some Christian beliefs, a period of great suffering on Earth before the return of Jesus.

For teachers: a predicted period of extreme worldwide hardship and persecution preceding the Second Coming of Christ.

- Some religious groups believe the Great Tribulation will last for seven years.
- Theologians continue to debate whether the faithful will be spared from the coming Tribulation or must endure it as a final test of spirit.

## Examples

- The family faced many tribulations during the war.
- After years of financial tribulation, the small business finally found a stable market and began to grow.
- The protagonist's journey is defined by a series of tribulations that test his resolve and force him to confront the harsh realities of his environment.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.