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 The kitchen wounds him, heals him, and becomes his crucible of faith. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 July 2026 His new life was an intense crucible of monastic discipline, complex logic, and rote memorization. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026 Only time will tell how many new soccer fans were forged from the crucible of this World Cup, but the TV and streaming deliveries have never been higher. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 8 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for crucible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crucible
  1. ordeal
  2. fire
  3. gauntlet
  4. trial
Noun
  • Philipps has come out of the six-month ordeal feeling nothing but gratitude.
    — Meg Walters, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Within a week, Cano was in Wilson’s office, describing her ordeal.
    — Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of ordeal
Noun
  • The Plaskett fire was 8,241 acres as of Sunday morning — up from about 6,000 acres Saturday morning — and only 1% contained.
    — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • This includes campfires, warming fires and charcoal barbecues, the park said, directing visitors to its Fire Information webpage.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of fire
Noun
  • But before Bane can finish him off, Batman stabs a Batarang into a little knob on Bane’s wrist gauntlet, the one that controls his intake of Venom.
    — Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Ole Miss has to get through the SEC gauntlet of LSU, Florida and Vanderbilt before hosting the Tigers.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of gauntlet
Noun
  • The trial brings to a head a decades-old case that for years has drawn the eyes of hip-hop fans and true crime experts alike.
    — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Creeden filed a motion for the continuance on Thursday, saying the probation office hadn’t yet released its draft presentence investigation report and that the court hadn’t yet ruled on his motions for acquittal and for a new trial.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 31 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on crucible

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crucible

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