* Figurative: "The pandemic has been a crucible for our society, testing our resilience and forcing us to adapt."
* Literal: "The chemist carefully poured the molten metal into the crucible, watching as it solidified into a beautiful ingot."
* Historical: "During the Salem Witch Trials, the town became a crucible of fear and suspicion, leading to unjust accusations and executions."
* Philosophical: "Life itself is a crucible in which we are constantly tested and refined."
The meaning of "crucible" can vary depending on the context, so it's important to pay attention to the surrounding words to understand the intended meaning.