1. The Crucible Vocabulary in Context
Vocabulary Unit 1
The Crucible Vocabulary in Context

2. Crucible
The Salem Witch Trials ended up serving as a crucible to the Puritans’ morals and motives.
Part of Speech: noun
Testing circumstances that cause people to change
An ordeal or severe trial
What could be some synonyms to crucible?

3. inert
In the opening scene of The Crucible, Betty Parris is in a bed, inert, eyes closed, as if in a state of comatose.
Part of Speech: adjective
What could be some synonyms to inert?
Unable to move or act
Sluggish in action or motion

4. ingratiate
Charles tried his best to ingratiate himself with his boss by bringing her coffee.
Part of Speech: verb
To gain favor with someone by deliberate efforts
What could be some synonyms to ingratiate?

5. dissemble
George dissembled his appearance in order to sneak into the party he wasn’t invited to.
Part of Speech: verb
To conceal one’s true motives or thoughts often by giving a false, misleading appearance
What could be some synonyms to dissemble?

6. begrudge
She did not begrudge the money spent on her children’s education.
Begrudgingly, I gave my phone to the teacher.
Part of Speech: verb (begrudge)
adverb (begrudgingly)
To envy or resent the pleasure or good fortune of someone else
To be reluctant to give or allow
What could be some synonyms to begrudge?

7. formidable
Abigail Williams proved herself to be formidable by causing the hysteria in Salem which ultimately lead to many to be charged with witchcraft.
Part of Speech: adjective
Causing fear or apprehension
Discouraging because of awesome strength, power, size, or strength
What could be some synonyms to formidable?

8. Trepidation
I feel a massive amount of trepidation about taking my driver’s license test.
Part of Speech: noun
A state of alarm, dread, or apprehension
Involuntary trembling or quivering
What could be some synonyms to trepidation?

9. Reckon/ Reckoning
Some believe there will be a day of reckoning, when our good and bad deeds will be measured.
A good business must reckon its profits and expenditures regularly.
Part of Speech: noun (reckoning)
verb (reckon)
Reckoning (noun): a count or calculation; the settlement of accounts between parties
Reckon (Verb): to count, compute, calculate; to settle accounts, as with a person
What could be some synonyms to reckon and reckoning?

10. partisan
A partisan to her political party, Rita blindly voted only for candidates who were Democrats, without ever giving any of the other nominees a chance.
Part of Speech: noun/ adjective
A biased, even blind supporter of a person, group, or cause, often not willing to listen to other people’s opinions
What could be some synonyms to partisan?

11. pretense When I told you I loved you, it was merely pretense.
Part of Speech: noun
An act that is actually pretend or false; a piece of make- believe
What could be some synonyms to pretense?