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

Relevance

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
  • There were long lines at gas pumps, turning each fill-up into an ordeal.
    — Dasha Litvinova, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • McCoy has transformed his ordeal into a testimonial on faith and the power of prayer.
    — Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 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
  • As the world expands, Musashi can go around taking on requests from the townfolk for resources to upgrade his sword, armor, and gauntlet.
    — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Adding a ninth conference game in the age of the transfer portal could make the road even tougher, requiring teams to display the depth to survive a 16- or 17-game gauntlet to win a national championship.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 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
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Crucible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crucible. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on crucible

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crucible

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All