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
Experienced mountaineers can test their mettle and summit Mount Washington—one of the tallest mountains in the east with an elevation of 6,288 feet—with Northeast Mountaineering (from $375).
—
Jen Murphy, Outside, 20 Dec. 2025
The thing these endeavors share is a healthy balance between testing your mountain mettle and having a goofy good time.
—Outside Online, 17 Dec. 2025
For many programs, this is the first real test of their playoff mettle.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025
High schoolers, college athletes, young children and local club runners have all tested their mettle on the park’s trails.
—New York Times, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mettle
Jen Murphy, Outside, 20 Dec. 2025
The thing these endeavors share is a healthy balance between testing your mountain mettle and having a goofy good time.
—Outside Online, 17 Dec. 2025
For many programs, this is the first real test of their playoff mettle.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025
High schoolers, college athletes, young children and local club runners have all tested their mettle on the park’s trails.
—New York Times, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mettle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettle
Noun
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The relative strength index, or RSI, is a technical indicator that measures the speed and magnitude of recent price moves.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The research relied on metrics covering loneliness, depressive symptoms, memory, and grip strength to gauge physical health.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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For this polar adventure, all gear must be carried to remote and rugged camps, necessitating vigorous training beforehand that focuses on stamina and strength.—
Wendy Altschuler,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Waning stamina was one explanation; Bainbridge had long been a heavy drinker and smoker.—
Christopher Tayler,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The power of the crop; or, when bad taste comes all the way back around to being good taste.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
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Nebraska law says that while in active service of the state, or at the direction of the governor, National Guard members are peace officers with power to prevent crime, arrest suspects, and execute the process of law.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Defense of humanity requires courage, moral clarity and our unwavering action.—
Bernard Cherkasov,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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And some poor choices have not diminished the status of the Norwegian Nobel Committee as the international arbiter of moral courage.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettle. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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