“Tribulation” is a noun that refers to a state of great trouble, distress, or suffering. Here are some synonyms and their analyses:
1. Affliction
- Meaning: “Affliction” implies a state of being afflicted, which means to be caused pain, distress, or harm. It often emphasizes the negative impact on an individual's well - being. For example, “The long - term illness was a great affliction to the family.” In comparison to “tribulation,” “affliction” focuses more on the personal experience of pain and hardship, whether it's physical, mental, or emotional.
- Example: “Her affliction of loneliness was evident in her sad eyes.”
2. Adversity
- Meaning: “Adversity” refers to difficulties or misfortunes that one faces. It implies a situation that is challenging or unfavorable. For example, “He overcame many adversities in his life, including poverty and discrimination.” “Adversity” is similar to “tribulation” in that it represents a tough situation, but it can also imply a more general or ongoing set of difficulties that a person has to deal with.
- Example: “The team's spirit was tested during the season of adversity when they faced multiple injuries and losses.”
3. Distress
- Meaning: “Distress” means a state of extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain. It can refer to both physical and mental discomfort. For example, “The distress of the survivors was palpable after the natural disaster.” “Distress” as a synonym for “tribulation” emphasizes the emotional and psychological aspect of suffering, often with a sense of urgency and a need for relief.
- Example: “The mother was in distress when her child went missing.”
4. Calamity
- Meaning: “Calamity” refers to a great disaster or catastrophe. It implies a sudden and often widespread event that causes a lot of harm and destruction. For example, “The earthquake was a calamity that affected thousands of people.” In contrast to “tribulation,” “calamity” is more about a major event that brings about a state of trouble, rather than an ongoing or personal experience of suffering.
- Example: “The flood was a calamity that wiped out entire neighborhoods.”
5. Hardship
- Meaning: “Hardship” means a difficult or unpleasant condition that one endures. It often implies a lack of comfort, resources, or ease. For example, “The economic hardship led to many families losing their homes.” “Hardship” is similar to “tribulation” in its focus on the difficult circumstances that people face, but it can also suggest a more long - term and perhaps less extreme state of difficulty.
- Example: “The soldiers endured the hardships of war, including shortages of food and shelter.”