Synonyms of steel

steel 1 of 2

noun

ˈstēl 

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

• sword
• blade
• brand
• saber
• rapier
• broadsword
• cutlass
• scimitar
• smallsword

steel

2 of 2

verb

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

• inspire
• encourage
• bear up
• buoy (up)
• hearten
• reinforce
• buck up
• embolden
• animate
• inspirit
• chirk (up)
• cheer (up)
• stimulate
• enforce
• strengthen
• invigorate
• galvanize
• enliven
• fortify
• provoke
• assure
• reassure
• rally
• stir
• energize
• excite
• quicken
• boost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourage
• depress
• daunt
• weaken
• dishearten
• undermine
• demoralize
• hamstring
• sadden
• debilitate
• dispirit
• enfeeble
• intimidate
• psych (out)

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

• strengthen
• harden
• fortify
• inure
• toughen
• season
• adjust
• indurate
• brace
• bolster
• temper
• adapt
• anneal
• reinforce
• acclimate
• acclimatize
• vitalize
• enforce
• forearm
• invigorate
• buttress
• condition
• immunize
• train
• break in
• support
• accustom
• boost
• prop (up)
• habituate
• naturalize
• limber (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• soften
• exhaust
• weaken
• sap
• emasculate
• cripple
• hamstring
• incapacitate
• enfeeble
• enervate
• sensitize
• debilitate

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

• brace
• fortify
• nerve
• ready
• strengthen
• forearm
• arm
• poise
• psych (up)
• bolster
• reinforce
• enforce
• harden
• comfort
• inure
• buttress
• sustain
• season
• support
• toughen
• rally
• buoy (up)
• prop (up)
• boost
• stir
• rouse
• encourage
• inspire
• hearten
• cheer (up)
• embolden

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shake
• discourage
• demoralize
• unnerve
• daunt
• weaken
• soften
• tire
• dishearten
• undercut
• psych (out)
• undermine
• sap
• prostrate
• dispirit
• debilitate
• enfeeble
• enervate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of steel

Noun

As the massive steel sallyport doors of the Clark County Detention Center fold open, Davis is taken one block from his cell to the courthouse. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Beer, cars, dairy and a long list of other Canadian imports were hit with a 50% tariff Saturday morning in addition to existing taxes on Canadian steel, aluminum and lumber. — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Verb

The eye fixed on me, binding me to millions—billions—of other eyes, only steels my resolve to see my sacrifice through to the end. — Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026

If nerves rise, steel your voice and lead with the headline, since plain language travels farther than frills. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026