Gehenna — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /gi-ˈhe-nə/ Ge·hen·na

Meaning & Definition of Gehenna

Gehenna (noun)

  1. a place or state of misery
  2. hell

Gehenna (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness

    "the depression that has enshrouded her since the death of her husband is a Gehenna from which she may never be released"

    similar: agony, hell, horror, misery, murder, nightmare, torment, torture
    related: affliction, calvary, cross, curse, ordeal, trial, tribulation, calamity, misfortune, tragedy, gall, thorn, bummer, downer, drag
    opposite: heaven, paradise
    near: delight, diversion, entertainment, fun, joy, pleasure, recreation, lark, picnic, riot

  2. the place of punishment for the wicked after death

    "in a fire-and-brimstone sermon, the evangelist warned those assembled that they faced the fires of Gehenna if they failed to repent"

    similar: hell, Pandemonium, perdition, Tophet
    related: blazes, inferno, purgatory, hades, netherworld, shades, Tartarus, underworld, Sheol, abyss, pit, fire and brimstone, hellfire
    opposite: bliss, elysian fields, Elysium, empyrean, heaven, kingdom come, New Jerusalem, paradise, sky, Zion
    near: glory, happy hunting ground, nirvana, promised land, Valhalla

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Gehenna

The most common words with a similar meaning to Gehenna:

agony, hell, horror, misery, murder, nightmare, torment, torture, Pandemonium, perdition, Tophet

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Gehenna

Words with the opposite meaning of Gehenna:

heaven, paradise, bliss, elysian fields, Elysium, empyrean, kingdom come, New Jerusalem, sky, Zion

Related Words for Gehenna

affliction, calvary, cross, curse, ordeal, trial, tribulation, calamity, misfortune, tragedy, gall, thorn, bummer, downer, drag, blazes, inferno, purgatory, hades, netherworld, shades, Tartarus, underworld, Sheol, abyss, pit, fire and brimstone, hellfire

Near Antonyms of Gehenna

delight, diversion, entertainment, fun, joy, pleasure, recreation, lark, picnic, riot, glory, happy hunting ground, nirvana, promised land, Valhalla

Origin & Etymology of Gehenna

Late Latin, from Greek Geenna, from Hebrew Gē' Hinnōm, literally, valley of Hinnom

First known use: circa 1534

Frequently Asked Questions about Gehenna

What does "Gehenna" mean?

"Gehenna" means a place or state of misery. As a noun, it is defined as: a place or state of misery. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Gehenna"?

Other words for "Gehenna" include agony, hell, horror, misery, murder, nightmare, torment and torture. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Gehenna" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Gehenna"?

There are 39 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Gehenna". Common alternatives include agony, hell, horror, misery, murder, nightmare, torment, torture, Pandemonium and perdition.

What is the opposite of "Gehenna"?

Antonyms of "Gehenna" include heaven, paradise, bliss, elysian fields, Elysium, empyrean, kingdom come and New Jerusalem. Near antonyms include delight, diversion, entertainment and fun.

How do you use "Gehenna" in a sentence?

Examples of "Gehenna" in a sentence: "the depression that has enshrouded her since the death of her husband is a Gehenna from which she may never be released"; "in a fire-and-brimstone sermon, the evangelist warned those assembled that they faced the fires of Gehenna if they failed to repent".

Is "Gehenna" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Gehenna" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Gehenna"?

"Gehenna" is pronounced /gi-ˈhe-nə/ and divided into syllables as Ge·hen·na.

What is the origin of the word "Gehenna"?

"Gehenna" comes from Late Latin, from Greek Geenna, from Hebrew Gē' Hinnōm, literally, valley of Hinnom. First known use: circa 1534.