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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of steel
Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 14 June 2026
The durable steel frame is insulated and sealed to ensure both energy efficiency and safety in extreme weather.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
Lauren Clark, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
In the final clip, Chani steels herself and runs toward an invisible adversary.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for steel
Noun
Or perhaps an alien predator with a maw of steel has descended on the center of Washington to beam up the executive branch.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 14 June 2026
The durable steel frame is insulated and sealed to ensure both energy efficiency and safety in extreme weather.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
Verb
Denise and Aaron steeled themselves to face Muller in court.
—Lauren Clark, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
In the final clip, Chani steels herself and runs toward an invisible adversary.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for steel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steel
Noun
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Recipients of the emperor’s mercy were given symbolic wooden swords to carry with them in perpetuity.—
Cullen Murphy,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
-
Meanwhile, a co-op game turned the four of us demoing it into ninjas defending a castle by slashing our swords on beat.—
Jordan Minor,
PC Magazine,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Thomas Tuchel was appointed with the simple task of coaching England to a World Cup win, and England showed early signs of his tactical acumen, but also his ability to inspire his players.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
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Serving East African street food inspired by husband-and-wife owners Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere’s native Burundi, Waka delivers African flavors in small bites.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The fragrance-free formula moisturizes with ceramides to help restore and strengthen the skin barrier, while the brand's signature thermal spring water soothes and rebalances stressed-out skin.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
19 June 2026
-
Sign up for a short learning series that sharpens skills, then share one takeaway with someone close to strengthen connection.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Thousands still without power after tornadoes last week Days after a severe weather outbreak, thousands of NIPSCO customers are still without power and are bracing for the next rounds of severe weather.—
Laura Bannon,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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Gulf Coast states already dealing with massive floods are bracing for even more extreme weather as the first tropical storm of the season could form as early as Tuesday night.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Nick Engen and Taylor Calmus CBS To help encourage fathers navigating similar experiences, Taylor Calmus, creator of the popular online Dude Dad brand, visited the NICU ahead of Father's Day to surprise Engen and other dads with gift bags filled with supplies.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
You are encouraged to sit and lounge and read.—
Rachel Brodsky,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Anna, her hauteur hardening like a protective shell, is aghast.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
As patterns become clear and predictable, the organization hardens them into deterministic rules.—
Jakob Freund,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Like Port, Madeira is fortified.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
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And the White Sox, like most clubs, could stand to fortify their bullpen, too.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
11 June 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 Jun. 2026.
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