vicissitude

noun

Definition of vicissitudenext
as in ordeal
a negative event or circumstance that is common to a particular setting or situation and is usually beyond one's control The vicissitudes of medical school proved too much for the anxious student.

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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 vicissitude The show is good at making the off-and-on vicissitudes of modern dating feel natural to the plot. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026 The family drama is underpinned by the vicissitudes inherent in moviemaking. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 19 Jan. 2026 Their vicissitudes are both timely and for all time. — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Dec. 2025 Whatever its reputation, the OIGC is still subject to the vicissitudes of other arts organizations. — Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 1 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vicissitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vicissitude
  1. ordeal
  2. gauntlet
  3. misfortune
  4. privation
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
  • For the most advanced chips, this gantlet is then repeated about a hundred times on a loop, as if an entire city skyline were being raised one story at a time.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The Las Vegas Raiders have had just about every chance to build on their surprising 3-0 start even while facing a gauntlet of Super Bowl contenders the past three weeks.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of gauntlet
Noun
  • The lawsuits, in his eyes, are simply cases of personal misfortune and landlord greed.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 8 Oct. 2026
  • And even the best counters are vulnerable to runs of misfortune.
    — Kit Chellel, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of misfortune
Noun
  • The catastrophe was a reminder of not only the destructiveness of Israeli bombing, but also the depth of the continuing privation in Gaza today.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Though each of the Ghetto’s three areas (the Ghetto Nuovo, the Ghetto Vecchio, and the Ghetto Nuovissimo) retained its own, distinct character until remarkably late, it was always cramped, unsanitary, and marred by privation.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of privation

Browse Nearby Words

viciousness
vicissitude
vicissitudes
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Cite this Entry

“Vicissitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vicissitude. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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