mettle

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mettle distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of mettle are courage, resolution, spirit, and tenacity. While all these words mean "mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship," mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

When can courage be used instead of mettle?

While the synonyms courage and mettle are close in meaning, courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

When could resolution be used to replace mettle?

The words resolution and mettle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

When might spirit be a better fit than mettle?

The meanings of spirit and mettle largely overlap; however, spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

How do tenacity and resolution relate to one another, in the sense of mettle?

Tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

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 Yet those willing to test its mettle will discover a highly capable explorer that, with the new G 580, takes battery power to the backcountry. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 11 June 2025 That said, modular multi-family housing, especially multi-story housing like what New York generally needs to produce, hasn’t yet proven its mettle in the real world here. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 June 2025 Gauff, a losing finalist at the French Open three years ago, needed to show all her mettle to overcome the 2025 Australian Open champion. Ben Morse, CNN Money, 4 June 2025 After a disappointing 10-0 loss to LaSalle, Lincoln-Sudbury showed some mettle against defending Division 2 state champion Walpole. Danny Ventura, Boston Herald, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for mettle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettle
Noun
  • Knee push-ups can also be a good starting point depending on your current strength level.
    Jenny McCoy, SELF, 16 June 2025
  • Resilience, unconditional love, and the quiet strength in simply being present.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • Khamenei may bet that Israel doesn’t have the capacity, stamina or will to maintain a war of attrition with Iran over the long term and that the longer the missile exchanges go on, the more political pressure Netanyahu will feel to come to the table.
    Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025
  • The race is a grueling test of both speed and stamina, requiring teams to not only push their machines to the limit but also carefully manage their drivers across the full day and night of racing.
    Jenn Nelson, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions.
    David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2025
  • Sutton noted that despite limited lethal power, Iran's numerous platforms and long-range strike ability pose a serious deterrent.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • If any courage is left at the Bar’s elegant headquarters in Tallahassee, the Bondi exemption should be rescinded.
    The Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2025
  • Police in Largo shared a video of the encounter, as Officer Christopher Martinez, from Long Island, tried to work up the courage to hold the alligator.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 14 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettle. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on mettle

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