This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Thursday, July 23, 2026 (51 Across). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Thursday puzzles often have a trick, such as a rebus (several letters in one square) or answers that bend the rules.
Answer length: 7 squares
First letter
O _ _ _ _ _ _
First and last letters
O _ _ _ _ _ S
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About the answer
ORDEALS as a word: (figuratively) A painful or trying experience; (historical) A trial in which the accused was subjected to a dangerous test (such as ducking in water), divine authority deciding the guilt of the accused.
ORDEALS has been an answer once in the NYT Crossword and Mini puzzles we have on file, which go back to October 23, 2025.
More clues from this puzzle
- Desert for which an African country is named (43 Across)
- Like obsidian rock, once (45 Across)
- Symbol of rebirth in ancient Egypt (46 Across)
- Last hurrah (49 Across)
- Wholly, but not holey or holy, e.g.: Abbr. (53 Across)
- Helen of Troy's mother (54 Across)
- Ignominious outcome (55 Across)
- Tech product discontinued in 2022 (61 Across)
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