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 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 Now, 10 years to the day after the Brexit vote and with six prime ministers having been felled by economic and political turbulence, the country once again looks to a new leader — and back to the crucible that helped set it on this torrid journey. — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 23 June 2026 Matt Freese is the latest to be thrown into that crucible. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for crucible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crucible
  1. ordeal
  2. fire
  3. gauntlet
  4. trial
Noun
  • The author, in her latest video on the falling-out with people on the project, hinted at a painful ordeal that unfolded on set, leaving fans scratching their heads and wondering what exactly happened and who was involved.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • Clase’s camp has blamed the whole ordeal on a misinterpretation of texts and calls pertaining to rooster fighting.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 28 July 2026
Definition of ordeal
Noun
  • Temperatures are set to soar in France and Spain this week as the continent heads into its fourth heat wave of the summer, and there is no rain forecast to relieve the tinder-dry conditions fuelling the fires.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • It was reported to be the first time that the Navy’s Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) manufactured by BlackSea Technologies was used in a live-fire exercise.
    — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of fire
Noun
  • 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
  • On his latest Hyperdub release, the Japanese producer born Takahide Higuchi sings more than on previous records but tortures his voice through a gauntlet of pitch-shifter effects.
    — Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026
Definition of gauntlet
Noun
  • Gray, who was 14 at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty last week to 55 charges, canceling a trial that was scheduled to begin in October at a courthouse in Columbia County.
    — Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 28 July 2026
  • The father’s trial revealed the extent of Colt’s tumultuous childhood.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
Definition of trial

Browse Nearby Words

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crucible
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Cite this Entry

“Crucible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crucible. Accessed 1 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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