as in strength
strength of spirit; ability to continue despite difficulties
He showed his mettle as a fighter tonight with a heroic comeback.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mettle
In this scenario, the CJNG would fracture into smaller, warring factions, producing more obscene levels of bloodshed as potential replacements try to prove their mettle.
—
Daniel Depetris, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Some admired her journalistic mettle; others, including Martha at first, could not take her seriously (those tinkling bracelets).
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
In this scenario, the CJNG would fracture into smaller, warring factions, producing more obscene levels of bloodshed as potential replacements try to prove their mettle.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Even in defeat, though, the Cavaliers showed some mettle in getting back into that game.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mettle
Daniel Depetris, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Some admired her journalistic mettle; others, including Martha at first, could not take her seriously (those tinkling bracelets).
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
In this scenario, the CJNG would fracture into smaller, warring factions, producing more obscene levels of bloodshed as potential replacements try to prove their mettle.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Even in defeat, though, the Cavaliers showed some mettle in getting back into that game.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mettle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettle
Noun
-
Slow running also increases the size and strength of your heart chambers, increases blood volume, and improves the strength of your connective tissues, tendons, and bones, Hamilton adds.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
20 Mar. 2026
-
If there have been too many mini-resets for the comfort of the supporters, a strength of Howe’s Newcastle has been absorbing lessons and responding, at least some of the time.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Tips on Preventing Injury, From a Run Coach Run coach Meg Takacs, the founder of Movement and Miles—an app that helps runners build mobility and stamina—says this study’s findings track with what she’s seen with her athletes.—
Emma Loewe,
Outside,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Gudmundsson’s stamina was on show at the end of that match, too.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The star power between the United States and Dominican Republic arguably rivaled any matchup seen on a baseball diamond before.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Some runways really have that brain chemistry-altering power, and the spectacle that Marc Jacobs created for the Louis Vuitton fall 2012 show is one such example.—
Rosie Jarman,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Name your values and state your boundaries, then celebrate your courage with something that restores your spark.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Creative courage returns as the instinctive Moon conjoins mischievous Mercury in your 5th House of Play, urging you to express whatever stirs within.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettle. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
