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
Relevance
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
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
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
Choose the Right Tomato Cage The sturdiest tomato cages are constructed of metal, steel, or wood and may or may not have a weather-resistant finish.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 15 Mar. 2026
Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
This New Moon is perfect for mending such inner tears, with its Capricorn durability steeling your 12th House of Finishes.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for steel
Noun
Just like most portable lock boxes, this one is secured with a three-digit code and comes with a lengthy adjustable steel cable that can’t be cut or broken.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
Choose the Right Tomato Cage The sturdiest tomato cages are constructed of metal, steel, or wood and may or may not have a weather-resistant finish.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
What should companies be doing to steel themselves for the long haul?
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
This New Moon is perfect for mending such inner tears, with its Capricorn durability steeling your 12th House of Finishes.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for steel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steel
Noun
-
Morgan was accused of stabbing his wife multiple times with the plastic sword, and additionally striking her in the head with a pair of pliers.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
With nods to films of the samurai and shoot-em-up genres, Beetz gives the physical performance of a lifetime, wielding swords and firing guns at a building full of evil yuppies.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The restaurant’s culinary language infuses Mediterranean (largely French Riviera flavors) inspired dishes and Japanese ingredients and cooking techniques—all with sustainability in mind.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The new way could be inspiring people.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Moreover, such an action risks preventing favorable conditions for a historic dialogue between the governments of the two countries, which are both united by a desire to disarm Hezbollah and strengthen Lebanon’s state capacities.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Dallas police said in a statement the funding would strengthen security operations and bolster the department’s ability to protect residents and visitors as North Texas prepares for millions of soccer fans.—
Chase Rogers,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
American Jews have been bracing themselves for further violence since the war in Iran started.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
-
But the $110 billion sale of WBD to Paramount that Zaslav has orchestrated hung over the festivities, as the industry braces for the thousands of layoffs that will result from the consolidation.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rollicking Japanese City Pop era tunes from the ‘80s and ‘90s keep energy levels up; on Sundays, off-duty geiko or maiko may be sitting at a cozy banquette nearby—they’re given a discount to encourage a local patronage, too.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Looking ahead, the town is also encouraging residents to reduce water use long term by replacing traditional turf grass with more drought-resistant landscaping.—
Jamie Leary,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But as hip-hop hardened and matured, so did the expectations.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
19 Mar. 2026
-
And Iran's retaliatory attacks on surrounding Arab Gulf states may not win Tehran any new regional friends, but could also further harden dismay at Israel's actions.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Soon came news of the return of star tight end Travis Kelce, a vital presence whose encore season on the surface doesn’t signify change but figures to be in a modified role as the Chiefs should be compelled to fortify what faded into an erratic wide receiver corps.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Our natural defenses such as mangroves and dunes must be fortified — not destroyed.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
