Purgatory – a place of temporary suffering; an unpleasant experience that causes suffering

(Pronounced pur-guh-taur-ee)

Note: In Roman Catholic belief; purgatory is where people go after they die, where they suffer for their sins before going to heaven. 

To remember the definition of the word purgatory, use the following mnemonic:

The purse gasped as it was torn (purgatory) but it only suffered temporarily because it was sewn back together. 

Examples of purgatory in a sentence

She hated her lectures and often described them as two hours of purgatory. 

Family reunions were his own personal purgatory because his parents always belittled him for not being more successful. 

He hoped his life time of good behaviour would minimize his suffering purgatory before he's allowed into heaven.