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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of steel
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
By adding elements like titanium, magnesium and calcium, the glass becomes even tougher and stronger than steel.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
John Baldoni, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Now take another one, just to steel yourself—this story involves crypto and memecoins, after all.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steel
Noun
Warm, textured materials such as canvas, plaster and wood sit alongside clean, modern elements made from steel and glass.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
By adding elements like titanium, magnesium and calcium, the glass becomes even tougher and stronger than steel.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
Handling adversity These setbacks steeled James Lovell to be an astronaut who could handle the pressures in times of adversity.
—John Baldoni, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Now take another one, just to steel yourself—this story involves crypto and memecoins, after all.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steel
Noun
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That is gladiators without swords.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
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As Polarity worked to get him to a doctor and treat his wounds following a battle with Cipher on school grounds in episode seven, Black Noir (Nathan Mitchell) — from The Boys’ The Seven — landed on top of Polarity’s vehicle and drove a sword through its roof — and through Doug.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Its success inspired a wave of canal building in other states, although the economic benefit of these other canals is dubious in retrospect.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Oct. 2025
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The aftermath of that crash inspired her branch of the Brown family tree to reshape the Louisville medical scene.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By the next day, Melissa had strengthened into a Category 5 storm.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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Reebok added that the new regional HQ is designed to accelerate retail expansion, strengthen performance and women’s categories, and deepen the brand’s cultural footprint while supporting its longstanding network of regional partners, retailers, and consumers.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Local farmers and businesses in Wisconsin are bracing for impact as funding for the state's federal food assistance program is set to run out by November.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Jamaica’s Blue Mountains, which soar to 7,500 feet and receive nearly 200 inches of rain annually, are bracing for up to 40 inches of rainfall from Hurricane Melissa over just a few days.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ultimately, the moment encouraged the Soviet population to agitate for household comforts.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
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Building a bat house can encourage them to stick around a little longer and eat up all those pesky insects.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Fertilization and pruning encourage new growth, which does not have time to harden off before cold temperatures set in.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
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The finale opens in the stillness that follows, grief hardening into vengeance.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Today, scientists are still studying its properties, and the high priests of the antisugar brigade are still condemning it, while its romantic and even erotic reputation remains well fortified by Valentine’s Day.—
Aleksandra Crapanzano,
The Atlantic,
27 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, the All’s Fair actress and soon-to-be-attorney has been quietly fortifying her Hidden Hills compound.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
24 Oct. 2025
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 31 Oct. 2025.
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