purgatory

/ˈpɜrɡəˌtɔri/
noun
  1. In some Christian beliefs, a place or state of temporary suffering where souls are purified before entering heaven.
    • According to Catholic doctrine, prayers can help souls in purgatory reach heaven sooner.
    • Medieval art often depicted purgatory as a place of fire and cleansing.
    • She lit a candle for her grandmother, hoping it would ease her time in purgatory.
  2. A state or place of temporary suffering, difficulty, or waiting, especially one that feels endless.
    • He described his year of unemployment as a financial and emotional purgatory.
    • The airport during the storm was purgatory, with no flights and no information.
    • Waiting for the job offer felt like purgatory, stuck between hope and despair.
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