as in armed
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1
as in inspired
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
hoped that his inspirational talk would steel the youths in the pursuit of their dreams
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2
as in strengthened
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure
years of running a farm had steeled the hard-bitten woman
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3
as in braced
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
he had spent the previous night steeling himself for the moment when he would demand a raise
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Recent Examples of steeled
Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
The Leopards steeled themselves, took a breath, went again, even as star man Noah Sadiki was forced off with an injury.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Denise and Aaron steeled themselves to face Muller in court.
—Lauren Clark, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Some of it is gut feeling based the maniacal want Cristobal has steeled in his players.
—Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
For decades, humankind steeled itself for the rise of thinking machines.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
Players typically don’t call their head coach in early summer with good news, so Journell steeled himself.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025
The lawyer steeled himself for the next 90 minutes.
—Sarah Weinman, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025
Few coaches know that better than Mike Vrabel, who steeled his team ahead of what many expected to be a toss-up game.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
Instead, Altman appeared jittery at first but steeled his nerves rather quickly.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
The Leopards steeled themselves, took a breath, went again, even as star man Noah Sadiki was forced off with an injury.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Denise and Aaron steeled themselves to face Muller in court.
—Lauren Clark, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Some of it is gut feeling based the maniacal want Cristobal has steeled in his players.
—Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
For decades, humankind steeled itself for the rise of thinking machines.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
Players typically don’t call their head coach in early summer with good news, so Journell steeled himself.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025
The lawyer steeled himself for the next 90 minutes.
—Sarah Weinman, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025
Few coaches know that better than Mike Vrabel, who steeled his team ahead of what many expected to be a toss-up game.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steeled
Adjective
-
His alleged accomplice, Steven Harris, was charged with armed bank robbery earlier this month and remains in federal custody.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
-
During the Brooks-Baxter War, the club's quarters were commandeered by armed guards of the Joseph Brooks faction, who locked the members out and then used the facility as a military hospital.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Below, shop the best little black dresses inspired by Michele’s posh, minimalist look for under $60 at Amazon, including knee-length, midi, and maxi options.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
-
The event was the brainchild of country singer Willie Nelson, who was inspired by fellow musician Bob Dylan to hold a concert to raise money for American farmers.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
An historic meeting the president said strengthened ties between the two nations, but which did not produce a major agreement on trade or a commitment from China to help end the war with Iran.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
17 May 2026
-
The country’s residency pathways and growing digital nomad infrastructure have further strengthened its popularity among remote workers and retirees alike.—
Meggen Harris,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Eveningside’s smaller arms holding on to the chains while Morningside’s longer arms propelled them, her fists and excess joints braced against the ground; their span lengthening, extending and retracting in the girls’ to and fro.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Lone lost both arms in an accident at the age of eight and taught himself to play cricket using his legs, batting with the bat braced between his neck and chin and bowling with his feet.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
From the fortified medieval town of Antibes to the glamorous Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, this dreamy peninsula's reputation as a playground for the jet set has been cemented since the early 1900s.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
18 May 2026
-
The weapon remains widely used among NATO members and allied militaries because of its flexibility against tanks, fortified positions, and moving targets.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Jimenez’s ‘Si Senor’ song was belted out at regular intervals and fans would have been encouraged to hear the Mexican, speaking after the game, open up the prospect of a return to Wolves when his Fulham contract expires this summer.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Matching the anything-goes vibe that flows through the resort, the breezy restaurant pavilion is merely a suggestion—ordering lunch or dinner to your private terrace, a candlelit table on the beach, or one of the dozen-or-so secret seating nooks scattered around the property is actively encouraged.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Beyond the pumps In addition to pump stations, other spillways would be hardened and gates elevated to prevent overtopping.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
23 May 2026
-
Ulven plays Maja with palpable vulnerability and honesty, someone hardened into fragile indifference.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Steeled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steeled. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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