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 England is a contender with mettle to prove, and facing Mexico at Estadio Azteca is a crucible. — Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 July 2026 The moral life, writes Murdoch, is not about self-mastery in the crucible of moral struggle. — Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 Through the highs and lows, though, what The Bear always understood really well is the allure of the crucible. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 June 2026 Each member derives her own realizations from this experience, with its dual crucibles of grindingly hard work and pop adulation. — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for crucible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crucible
  1. ordeal
  2. fire
  3. gauntlet
  4. trial
Noun
  • But as the AskHistorians ordeal illustrates, more enforcement doesn’t necessarily mean better enforcement.
    — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The ordeal was so dire that Papa’s doctor advised him to prepare his family for the worst.
    — Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of ordeal
Noun
  • Since erupting Saturday, three fires in Spokane County have destroyed more than 700 structures, displaced tens of thousands of residents and threatened communities.
    — Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Authorities haven't stated a possible cause for the other two fires.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of fire
Noun
  • The good news for the Fever is that the gauntlet is finally over.
    — Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The Chiefs’ 2026 NFL schedule sends them through a punishing second-half gauntlet as Kansas City looks to rebound from a 6-11 season.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Definition of gauntlet
Noun
  • The shots were extensively tested for safety before they were authorized for emergency use, with the FDA requiring at least two months of follow-up safety data after vaccinating trial participants.
    — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • PocketGuard has a 7-day free trial and offers all of the standard budgeting features, as well as a debt payoff planner and a bill negotiation service.
    — Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 3 Aug. 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 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on crucible

Nglish: Translation of crucible for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crucible

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