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
Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Tariffs under Section 232 could be applied to major imports like aluminum and steel, but gathering the information to justify the action would take time.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 10 Sep. 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
LanzaTech uses a myriad of feedstocks in its bioreactors, from raw municipal solid waste to agricultural and forestry residues to waste gases from steel, ferroalloy, and chemical refineries.
—Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Tariffs under Section 232 could be applied to major imports like aluminum and steel, but gathering the information to justify the action would take time.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 10 Sep. 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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Clowns entertain crowds at local fairs by twisting skinny balloons into poodles and swords.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Arthur drawing the sword from the stone.—
Sam Sussman
September 16,
Literary Hub,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Oysters inspired the researchers because of their remarkable ability to attach to rocks, bridge pilings, or even each other in the harsh underwater environment.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
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Odighizuwa said watching his mother’s struggles and strength inspired him to want to help others in the same situation.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The farmer's innovation exemplifies prosocial AI; systems that are tailored, trained, tested and targeted to bring out the best in and for people and planet; technology that is designed to strengthen rather than extract from social fabric.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Economists expect the yuan could strengthen to 7 per dollar by the end of this year — a conviction driven in large part by Beijing's efforts to revive economic growth and encourage more investment onshore.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Houston is bracing for the loss of Framber Valdez in free agency and has already lost three other starters — Ronel Blanco, Hayden Wesneski and Brandon Walter — to elbow surgeries that will keep them out for some portion of next season.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Ravens Pro Bowl edge rusher Kyle Van Noy is bracing to potentially miss multiple games due to a hamstring injury suffered Sunday, per source.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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The Associated Press reported that Robinson’s father recognized his son from the images released by law enforcement, and then encouraged his son to turn himself in.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The seafloor within the rings around the barrels had hardened like concrete, preventing them from collecting samples with a coring device that would be inserted into the seafloor.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Sep. 2025
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In analysis sent to Newsweek, global risk firm RANE said the incident could accelerate NATO's air defense integration and harden its posture toward Russia.—
Brendan Cole
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Richer creams packed with hydrating ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid that fortify the skin’s barrier from the coming windchill and the telltale skin tightness from indoor heating take center stage on our top shelves.—
Tanya Akim,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Just this past offseason Miami put an emphasis on fortifying the trenches, correcting a past wrong, adding players with size and girth on the offensive and defensive line via the NFL Draft.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 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 18 Sep. 2025.
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