as in ordeal
a test of faith, patience, or strength
soldiers who had withstood the crucible of war
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Recent Examples of crucible
The Berlinale has long been considered a forum for political expression and a crucible for debate about important world affairs, but avoiding political comment has seemingly been a trend at this year’s event, whether by chance, design or out of fear.
—
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Founded in the 10th century, this complex of churches was a crucible of wisdom for calligraphers, philosophers and illuminators.
—Marlise Kast-Myers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
There’s no crucible more scrutinized in the sport than the Olympic Games.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Crises’ crucibles often forge potent alliances.
—Jamie Holmes, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crucible
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Founded in the 10th century, this complex of churches was a crucible of wisdom for calligraphers, philosophers and illuminators.
—Marlise Kast-Myers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
There’s no crucible more scrutinized in the sport than the Olympic Games.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Crises’ crucibles often forge potent alliances.
—Jamie Holmes, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crucible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crucible
Noun
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For Nissa True, the owner of Smithville’s Pizza Shoppe, the community support has made the whole ordeal much easier to endure.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
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Wenrick said the department hired an outside firm to investigate the entire ordeal, which includes determining why the patrol was left unlocked.—
Nicole Comstock,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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True was in her office inside the restaurant shortly after the lunch rush Monday afternoon when a customer came in and said the Chinese restaurant a couple doors down was on fire.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
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The Knicks only truly made things interesting in minutes the former Brooklyn Nets star and sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Famer spent on the bench on Tuesday.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The beginning of the 2026 season has so far been a gauntlet for both teams in terms of the level of competition, but even more so with the schedule congestion, having played three games each in eight days.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
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The foundation of that legacy was forged in the late ’90s with 400 Degreez, an album that doubled as both a gauntlet thrown at the industry and a rallying cry that helped cement Cash Money Records as a dominant force.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In the usual course of things, a promising drug candidate would be ushered into human trials.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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As it’s applied today, the law allows trial attorneys to prey on the state’s small and mid-sized businesses — filing frivolous, costly lawsuits over even the most minor violation of California’s complex labor code.—
Tom Manzo,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crucible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crucible. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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