as in ordeals
a test of faith, patience, or strength
soldiers who had withstood the crucible of war
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Recent Examples of crucibles
Crises’ crucibles often forge potent alliances.
—
Jamie Holmes, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
At its best, Extra Geography is a wistful look at the crucibles of young adulthood, at two people forming and re-forming into shapes that may no longer be compatible with one another.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Jamie Holmes, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
At its best, Extra Geography is a wistful look at the crucibles of young adulthood, at two people forming and re-forming into shapes that may no longer be compatible with one another.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crucibles
Noun
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The medical ordeals are traumatic and disgusting, but fascinating and full of the quirks of modern life.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
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Both women survived, but are still reeling from ordeals that have drawn national attention — in part, because they were captured on video and shared on social media.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
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In southern Argentina, the fires first ignited by lightning forced the evacuation of thousands of tourists and residents and burned through over 174 square miles of native forest, including vast swaths of the Los Alerces National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to 2,600-year-old trees.—
Isabel Debre,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Design Making a Difference, partnering with Habitat for Humanity and the Foothill Catalog Foundation, to help rebuild homes lost in the fires.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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However, according to Sounwave, Lamar’s chief producer and longtime friend, GNX was in the works long before any gauntlets were thrown.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
30 Dec. 2025
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However, according to Sounwave, Lamar’s chief producer and longtime friend, GNX was in the works long before any gauntlets were thrown.—
Preezy Brown,
Rolling Stone,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
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She and two other plaintiffs have been selected for bellwether trials — essentially test cases for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury.—
Barbara Ortutay,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
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After coming up short in the trials a half dozen times, Ruohonen, who graduated from Spring Lake Park and lives in Brooklyn Park, has finally broken through.—
Dane Mizutani,
Twin Cities,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crucibles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crucibles. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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