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
Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2025
Tariffs like the ones he's imposed on goods like steel and aluminum, however, would remain in place.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 6 Nov. 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
The steel models then began to circulate between dealers from Milan to Miami.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2025
Tariffs like the ones he's imposed on goods like steel and aluminum, however, would remain in place.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 6 Nov. 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
-
Objects have what’s like a soul, like the funeral sword lilies on the seat or objects passed from one passenger to another.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The trail through this passage is narrow and lined with signature desert plants — which is to say my path became a gauntlet of tiny, stabbing swords.—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Nicole said her costume was actually inspired by a childhood friend, ironically named Taylor.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The reality star has been studying through an apprenticeship program in California and was inspired to pursue a career in the legal field, focusing on criminal justice reform.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Dallas Cowboys have made some head-scratching moves in 2025 dating back to the preseason, which have both strengthened the interior of the defensive line but also added confusion about the future of the unit.—
Max Dible,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
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The initiative’s foundation addresses the problem of inconsistent and burdensome reporting by engaging the industry to define an optional (and non-exhaustive) questionnaire aimed at strengthening data quality and consistency while significantly reducing the administrative burden on suppliers.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Arctic air mass is pushing east, with New York City and Boston bracing for lows in the 30s.—
Sirena Bergman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Advertisement Many in the party are bracing for support for Schumer to become an issue in Senate races around the country.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Her administration has encouraged the siting of data centers in Michigan through sales and use tax exemptions.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
For example, toddlers will benefit from toys that encourage them to build gross motor skills and work on early speech and literacy skills.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In the wake of those bills, the far-right Tea Party movement helped harden Republican opposition to Obama and Democrats more broadly, and Democrats saw major losses in the 2010 midterm elections that relegated Democrats to the minority and ended Pelosi's first run as speaker.—
NPR,
NPR,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Soft power that hardens into partnerships, pipelines, and actual policy shifts.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Both washed the food down with drinks fortified by electrolytes.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Nov. 2025
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Many commercial brands are fortified with calcium and vitamin D, which protect the bones.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
10 Nov. 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 19 Nov. 2025.
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