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
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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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of steel
Michael Bloom, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
For hikers and residents, the steel lattice towers rising from the horizon carrying high-voltage transmission lines up and over the mountains are as recognizable as the bucolic dirt paths, scraggly chapparal, and, at slightly higher elevations, old oaks.
—Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
For decades, humankind steeled itself for the rise of thinking machines.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steel
Noun
Morgan Stanley cuts Nucor and Steel Dynamics to equal weight from overweight The firm says both steel companies have limited upside.
—Michael Bloom, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
For hikers and residents, the steel lattice towers rising from the horizon carrying high-voltage transmission lines up and over the mountains are as recognizable as the bucolic dirt paths, scraggly chapparal, and, at slightly higher elevations, old oaks.
—Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
In the play’s forthright, direct-to-the-audience expression of political necessity, Susannah Flood is the piece’s avatar of Wohl, but the show’s true essence is embodied by Betsy Aidem, playing a tightly wound housewife, who steels the younger women around her to face the struggle to come.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
For decades, humankind steeled itself for the rise of thinking machines.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steel
Noun
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The Tofinu took refuge in the lagoons along the Bight of Benin, a core area of the slave trade, venturing forth in canoes with harpoons, javelins, and swords to fight off raiders from powerful nearby kingdoms.—
Laurent Dubois,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
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Police began to de-escalate the situation ever since the suspect answered the door around noon Sunday, armed with a sword and acting aggressively toward officers.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The unofficial holiday was originally inspired by an episode of Parks and Recreation back in 2010.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
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The chief storyteller behind the scenes at the B-Side Group restaurant is chef Hector González-Mora, who is leading the kitchen at the gastrocantina and mezcalería while crafting food inspired by the places where California and Mexican customs and traditions come together.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Its formula of ceramides, astaxanthin, and arginine strengthen, provide elasticity, and heal weak or broken hair.—
Olivia Dubyak,
InStyle,
14 Jan. 2026
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The meeting comes as Tokyo seeks to rein in a deepening diplomatic and trade rift with China while strengthening ties with allies to counter Beijing’s attempts to isolate Japan.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Texas Education Agency will meet with the Lake Worth community Wednesday as the school district braces for a state takeover.—
Lacey Beasley,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
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Dean, as Ruby’s ambitious friend and mentor who is also braced for loss, is particularly outstanding, while Todd Field nicely depicts the solace and agonies one faces when establishing tight boundaries in life.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The teeth also captured climate shifts such as the Late Antique Little Ice Age and the Medieval Climate Anomaly, which might have encouraged some increase in migration into England.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Jan. 2026
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Those who experienced the earthquake are encouraged to report it via the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Parashat Va’era tells us that Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, but the Torah does not describe him as raging all the time.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
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Areas where light is let through cause the polymer at those locations to harden, while areas kept in the dark stay fluid.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Overall, though, New Jersey didn’t land enough difference-makers to fortify the club’s supporting cast.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Foods like yogurt and kefir offer gut-friendly probiotics, and milk is often fortified with vitamin D.—
Anthea Levi,
Health,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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It can also be used as a bench, bearing up to 355 pounds.—
Caitlyn Martyn
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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Harriet remembered there was something: inexpressibly affecting in the aspect of the frail little creature who had done such wonderful things, and who was able to bear up, with so bright an eye and so composed a countenance, under not only such a weight of sorrow, but such a prospect of solitude.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steel. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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