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
Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
And steel, aluminum, cars and car parts from across the globe have been subject to separate levies starting at 25%, in most cases.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
Alexander Clausbruch, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
However, after a two-decade-long legal battle, Arizona climbers are steeling themselves for the potential destruction of most of the boulders and hundreds of routes in Oak Flat area.
—Sam MacIlwaine, Outside Online, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for steel
Noun
Many semi-finished goods—steel, aluminum, aerospace components—are processed in Brazil before returning to American factories.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
And steel, aluminum, cars and car parts from across the globe have been subject to separate levies starting at 25%, in most cases.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
Verb
Amid growing geopolitical tensions and unpredictable politics, the global economy is steeling itself for constant, sudden change.
—Alexander Clausbruch, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
However, after a two-decade-long legal battle, Arizona climbers are steeling themselves for the potential destruction of most of the boulders and hundreds of routes in Oak Flat area.
—Sam MacIlwaine, Outside Online, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for steel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steel
Noun
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Traces of the wooden hilt are still visible on the preserved sword.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
7 July 2025
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The medieval sword was given to a specialty conservation workshop for further preservation and analysis, Science in Poland said in a July 4 news release.—
Aspen Pflughoeft
July 4,
Miami Herald,
4 July 2025
Verb
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The name was inspired by the property it’s built on.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
14 July 2025
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His 2024 album Tears on the Beach, inspired by his time on Survivor, featured collaborations between indie rockers and reality stars—pairings that included Mannequin Pussy’s Marisa Dabice with Season 45 winner Dee Valladares, and Shannon Shaw alongside Coach Benjamin Wade, a.k.a.—
Sarah Grant,
Rolling Stone,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Accompanied by a business delegation, investment deals were inked, along with agreements to strengthen business ties.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
14 July 2025
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For example, strengthening your biceps can enhance your ability to perform a pull-up.—
Aubrey Bailey,
Verywell Health,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Born into the cult, Prophet draws comparisons between the group’s apocalyptic dogma (braced for a Soviet nuclear strike, the church built extensive Montana bomb shelters in the early 1990s), and Christian Nationalism, QAnon and the MAGA movement.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Colorado’s health department is bracing for several layoffs early next month for workers focused on cancer and heart disease prevention, thanks to the apparent loss of nearly $2 million in federal grant funding and the state’s own bleak fiscal outlook.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
28 June 2025
Verb
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If your plants are still fruiting towards the end of the season, cut away any small fruit and lingering flowers to encourage your plant to spend its remaining energy ripening the last few cucumbers on the vine.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 July 2025
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South Bend offers a good example of how to encourage developers to address these needs, Ibrahim said.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
12 July 2025
Verb
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Iran rejects tight restrictions on its nuclear program and has hardened its stance after Israel and the U.S. targeted its nuclear facilities in June.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
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They’d be hardened to anything that life and work threw their way.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Both cow's milk and oat milk may be fortified with vitamins A and D, so check the label for vitamin content.8 Vitamin A: Helps to keep the skin and eyes healthy.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
12 July 2025
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Khan, by contrast, is being tasked with a narrower but highly strategic mission: fortifying Apple's supply chain, localizing production, and driving environmental accountability.—
Nate Bennett,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Nobody needed to go into the brush and stir that bear up.—
Howard Copenhaver,
Outdoor Life,
23 Apr. 2025
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In 1970, the average Chinese woman was expected to bear up to six children throughout her lifetime.—
Micah McCartney,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steel. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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