Meaning & use

crucible

noun·Advanced

A container made of a material that can resist very high heat, used for melting metals or other substances.

See it in a sentence

The blacksmith heated the metal in a crucible until it turned bright orange.

Years of hardship became a crucible that shaped her into a determined leader.

A note on using this word

Crucible is frequently used figuratively for a difficult test or experience that produces significant change, as in the second example.

Words with a similar meaning

containermelting pot

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Make it your own

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