as in sword
a hand weapon with a length of metal sharpened on one or both sides and usually tapered to a sharp point
drew steel on the bandits, who immediately fled for their lives
Synonyms & Similar Words
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1
as in to inspire
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
hoped that his inspirational talk would steel the youths in the pursuit of their dreams
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to strengthen
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure
years of running a farm had steeled the hard-bitten woman
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to brace
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
he had spent the previous night steeling himself for the moment when he would demand a raise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of steel
Hadley Hitson, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
The vintage shoes are displayed against the backdrop of Xavier Feal’s brushed steel shelves and Vincent Darré’s pink geometric Labyrinth carpet.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025
John Baldoni, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Now take another one, just to steel yourself—this story involves crypto and memecoins, after all.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steel
Noun
In a different order, a steel company has begun pre-charging Allvan in preparation to pay tariffs months early.
—Hadley Hitson, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
The vintage shoes are displayed against the backdrop of Xavier Feal’s brushed steel shelves and Vincent Darré’s pink geometric Labyrinth carpet.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
Handling adversity These setbacks steeled James Lovell to be an astronaut who could handle the pressures in times of adversity.
—John Baldoni, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Now take another one, just to steel yourself—this story involves crypto and memecoins, after all.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steel
Noun
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The 8-year-old leapt into the ring bearing a black practice sword and called his stepfather, Joe Deaton, to meet his challenge, as onlookers at the nonprofit Folsom Renaissance Faire looked on.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
28 Sep. 2025
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So picking up Cavill's sword also meant picking up his wig.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The show gave local independent musicians exposure on its soundtrack, increased the popularity of venues like The Bluebird Cafe, inspired cast tours and years later, sparked reunion tours.—
Audrey Gibbs,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
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Trailers showing Erivo in full green-skinned Elphaba costume and Grande decked out in a sparkly pink G(a)linda gown have surely inspired new and old fans alike.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Nevertheless, the stadium had by then become synonymous with big football occasions — a status that was only strengthened by three European Cup finals being staged between 1963 and 1971.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Regional lenders have been under pressure after last year's banking turmoil, prompting mergers aimed at strengthening balance sheets and expanding into faster-growing markets.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Wooden vessels for polar exploration typically reinforced the hulls internally with diagonal support beams, which braced the sides of the ship against lateral compression from powerful sea ice, said Tuhkuri, who researches the mechanics of ice.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
6 Oct. 2025
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On October 4, the 33-year-old pop star shared a clip that has fans bracing for more Taylor Swift discourse.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Attendees left the event with tourniquets or trauma bandages and were encouraged to reach out to Bound Tree Medical to purchase additional supplies for their congregations.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Deadheading encourages chocolate cosmos plants to produce more flower buds, keeping plants productive.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Subsequent congressional investigations, post-campaign books, and news stories have only hardened public opinion that, with his mental acuity faltering and physical stamina limited, Biden should have stepped aside after a single term.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
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Make sure to slowly harden off (acclimate) plants started indoors to avoid transplant shock.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Once that decision is made, Posey and the rest of the Giants’ brass will shift its attention to fortifying their roster, generally, and their pitching depth, specifically.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
29 Sep. 2025
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The two have bonded over their desire to get better and their tireless work ethics, and that relationship has only been fortified as the years have progressed.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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It can also be used as a bench, bearing up to 355 pounds.—
Caitlyn Martyn
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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Harriet remembered there was something: inexpressibly affecting in the aspect of the frail little creature who had done such wonderful things, and who was able to bear up, with so bright an eye and so composed a countenance, under not only such a weight of sorrow, but such a prospect of solitude.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steel. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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