as in strength
strength of spirit; ability to continue despite difficulties
He showed his mettle as a fighter tonight with a heroic comeback.
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Recent Examples of mettle
The Hawks won their opening game by dispatching a very talented Bishop Feehan squad, which showed its mettle with a win over Chelmsford (24-12) in Week 2.
—
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
The jets, obtained from the United States, had proven their mettle, operating in an environment saturated with enemy radars.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
The film tells the true story of two young men who journey from Scotland to America to test their mettle in the cutthroat world of hip-hop.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Try your mettle on the course of 27 ziplines — the most in the world — at Soaring Tree Top Adventures, an adventure center midway on the ride reachable only by train or plane.
—The Editors, Outside, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mettle
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
The jets, obtained from the United States, had proven their mettle, operating in an environment saturated with enemy radars.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
The film tells the true story of two young men who journey from Scotland to America to test their mettle in the cutthroat world of hip-hop.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Try your mettle on the course of 27 ziplines — the most in the world — at Soaring Tree Top Adventures, an adventure center midway on the ride reachable only by train or plane.
—The Editors, Outside, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mettle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettle
Noun
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What’s your team’s greatest strength this season?—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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And that’s all without mentioning a run defense that flexed its strength against the Green Bay Packers, and a special teams group that is facilitating complementary football and more.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Being proactive provides peace of mind and physical stamina as Mars and Neptune harmonize.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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There’s also an argument — and maybe this is just one for traditionalists — that football is also supposed to be, on some level, a test of individual stamina and adaptability.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Satire is brilliant for exposing the folly of humans, especially those in power and those working in bad faith—the hypocrites and the frauds—and can be particularly potent when set in irrational or dystopic times.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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The software, called VenApp, was originally launched by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in 2022 as a hybrid application, integrating a messaging service with a helpline for people to report issues with utility services, such as power outages and water disruptions.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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New Yorkers have always risen to critical moments—demanding not perfection, but courage and connection.—
Sally Susman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
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Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettle. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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