gauntlet

noun

variants also gantlet
Definition of gauntletnext
as in ordeal
a test of faith, patience, or strength before being adopted, school textbooks must often run the gauntlet of several local and state committees

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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 gauntlet Oppenheimer and One Battle After Another successfully ran the Best Picture gauntlet despite being pegged as favorites from the get-go. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026 To complete his gauntlet in November, Flora must defeat Matthew Adams — a Democrat who doesn’t have the name recognition or financial backing of the incumbent. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026 Ohio State and Alabama need wins to maintain momentum ahead of a tougher gantlet, while Mississippi State and Iowa look to prove hot starts are no fluke. — Matt Piper, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026 Once past the lobby, ticket holders file along a snaking path, passing a gauntlet of screens, then take an elevator up to a series of rooms filled with … more screens. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gauntlet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauntlet
  1. ordeal
  2. fire
  3. trial
Noun
  • During the ordeal, Del Mar started a group called Fathers Helping Fathers, which advocated for unwed or divorced fathers seeking legal advice on custody.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The strikes in Riyadh have killed at least 13 people and wounded hundreds — some of the survivors were allowed to speak about their ordeal to Saudi state TV over the weekend.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of ordeal
Noun
  • Ukraine's General Staff that day said its forces hit an electronics plant in Oryol that makes components for the cruise and ballistic missiles Russia fires at Ukrainian cities.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • But the drought that set the stage for the fires has dried up Baltzor's hay meadows, too.
    — Anna King, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of fire
Noun
  • The office’s misdemeanor section is a development ground and steppingstone for young prosecutors who take mostly DWIs and assault causing bodily injury to a family member cases to trial.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Prosecutors, meantime, believe the trial could start much sooner.
    — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of trial

Browse Nearby Words

gaunt
gauntlet
gauntlets
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Cite this Entry

“Gauntlet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauntlet. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gauntlet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gauntlet

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