crucible

noun

ˈkrü-sə-bəl How to pronounce crucible (audio)
Definition of cruciblenext
as in ordeal
a test of faith, patience, or strength soldiers who had withstood the crucible of war

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of crucible But Ellison is betting that through the crucible of consolidation, a stronger company will emerge. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026 However tomorrow’s return means a great deal both to London Fashion Week—which is perennially dedicated to cheerleading the British capital as a key crucible of creativity—as well as to McQueen and McGirr. — Luke Leitch, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026 Its grief is processual, a crucible that takes the shape its actors and characters mold of it while defying mere mortal charge. — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 15 Sep. 2026 The show, Gunsmoke & Mirrors, is set in the late 19th century and chronicles the transformation of Christian Rørmose Madsen, who reinvented himself in the lawless crucible of the American West. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crucible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crucible
  1. ordeal
  2. fire
  3. gauntlet
  4. trial
Noun
  • His ordeal would go on to become one of the most egregious examples of prosecutorial misconduct in the United States.
    — Madeleine Baran, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
  • That entire ordeal is presented in detail, a backstage drama in miniature that treats the boardroom soap opera as the last chance to keep Pandora’s box shut.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of ordeal
Noun
  • Helen, Rob and Emily McDaniel's wood-fire-and-coal-cooking restaurant, is a cozy downtown spot that serves up chicken thighs, angel biscuits, and tomato pie.
    — Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The Forest Service lowered fire restrictions to Stage 1 earlier this month.
    — The Know, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of fire
Noun
  • That kind of negotiation is now part of the gauntlet independent retailers face when buying for their boutiques.
    — Jessica Binns, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Intel's Core Ultra 5 Series 3 chip saw the Acer Googlebook 14 through two first-place showings among the four Googlebooks tested, in WebXPRT’s browser gauntlet and PCMark for Android's productivity suite.
    — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of gauntlet
Noun
  • During the trial, Solberg's father, Bobby Solberg, delivered an emotional victim impact statement criticizing Pollis for putting the families through the lengthy proceedings.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • During the weekslong trial, prosecutors painted Murdaugh as a fraudster who killed his wife and son as a desperate attempt to distract from investigations into his vast financial crimes.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of trial

Browse Nearby Words

crucial
crucible
crucibles
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Cite this Entry

“Crucible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crucible. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on crucible

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crucible

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