Enter a clue or pattern or both:
The Clue
Hard times (7 letter answer)
The Answer
ORDEALS
Tags
Notes
The answer ORDEALS is rarely seen, appearing only about once every 1500 puzzles.
Related Clues
Trials
Baptisms of fire
Difficult experiences
Difficult situations
Trying experiences
Periods in prison, e.g.
Definition
ORDEAL as a noun:
1. a severe or trying experience
2. (ordeal, trial by ordeal) = a primitive method of determining a person's guilt or innocence by subjecting the accused person to dangerous or painful tests believed to be under divine control; escape was usually taken as a sign of innocence