steel 1 of 2

noun

ˈstēl How to pronounce steel (audio)
Definition of steelnext
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

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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

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of steel
Noun
Among the terminated is a welder, Choi Ho-seok (Sul Kyung-gu), who wears a frown so implacable that it might have been etched in steel. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026 Zaideman said the steel-tube frame is six feet long and 30 inches wide with wheels welded to the bottom. — Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
From Sacramento to Albany and several state capitals in between, regional attorneys general are steeled to stop Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion merger with Warner Bros Discovery in an antitrust lawsuit that could hit the courts Monday. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 13 July 2026 Publishers are stacking the deck for the fall, when a glut of books are sent into the world steeled for holiday gifting. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for steel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steel
  1. sword
  2. inspire
  3. strengthen
  4. brace
  5. encourage
  6. harden
  7. fortify
  8. bear up
Noun
  • As Pacote delivers the fatal thrust with his sword, the bull raises its head and gores him.
    — Stephen Bates, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Samurai Spirits was known for allowing characters to use weapons, such as swords, or battle without them.
    — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of sword
Verb
  • The sweat beads from the worried Republicans in Arkansas this election cycle are Democrat-inspired.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Amenities and experiences Dublin’s literary heritage, inspired by the likes of Oscar Wilde, seeps through the walls of The Wilder Townhouse and is reflected in thoughtful details throughout the entire experience.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of inspire
Verb
  • Studies also suggest that El Niño can strengthen and accelerate the frequency of nor'easters by pushing warm, moist air to the north.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Colleges and universities can take advantage of their expertise, resources and autonomy from the traditional K-12 education establishment to strengthen not only the state’s charter movement, but public education in their communities.
    — Thibaut Delloue, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of strengthen
Verb
  • Downstream, residents of the vast Navajo Nation braced for floodwaters not expected to peak until late Friday or early Saturday.
    — MEAD GRUVER, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • France is bracing for yet another wave of protests this weekend with authorities racing to prevent a repeat of the kind of violence and riots that hit the nation last week.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of brace
Verb
  • Though the board does not have the authority to forgive the charges, which will still be due by the end of the year, board President Allan Marks encouraged residents to enroll in programs that could help alleviate rising costs.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • According to Ueda, an enthusiastic online response encouraged its adaptation to feature length and a theatrical release.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of encourage
Verb
  • The building materials are fire-resistant, as are the windows, and the eaves are fire-hardened as well.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The process, called cured-in-place pipe lining, involves inserting a flexible liner into the old pipe, inflating it and hardening it in place.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of harden
Verb
  • Washington must help its partners raise their security standards, share intelligence and best practices more widely, and fortify monitoring programs.
    — Sam Mullins, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The Thunder also have a 21-pick stockpile of second-rounders that was fortified via the Dort, Wiggins and Joe trades.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of fortify
Verb
  • Scientists at the Beckman Institute have been tracking levels of plastic-softening phthalates in the blood of children since before they were born up until age 11.
    — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of bear up

Browse Nearby Words

steeks
steel
steeled
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Cite this Entry

“Steel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steel. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about steel

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