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
Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
Resolve suddenly became steeled.
—CBS News, 14 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
His sacrifice has steeled our resolve, redoubled our commitment and only increased our determination to save America at this critical turning point.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Kyiv is also on a full war footing, with its government and population steeled against the damage and human losses that come with a major conflict.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Some of it is gut feeling based the maniacal want Cristobal has steeled in his players.
—Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
Resolve suddenly became steeled.
—CBS News, 14 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
His sacrifice has steeled our resolve, redoubled our commitment and only increased our determination to save America at this critical turning point.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Kyiv is also on a full war footing, with its government and population steeled against the damage and human losses that come with a major conflict.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steeled
Adjective
-
Denied entry into his class A female student looked out the door window and saw Colt Gray armed.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Its product Claude is in use across the intelligence community and armed services.—
Andrea Shalal,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
To his supporters, Khamenei was the steadfast, fearless leader who transcended mere politics and inspired devotion.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Sip cocktails while live music plays, then settle in for a top-tier Southern dinner inspired by the setting.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Despite being in Fort Worth for just one season, Suarez already holds a tight connection to the Fort Worth community that was only strengthened by the fan support at GameDay.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The inductees will be formally honored April 19 in East Lansing, recognized for careers that have shaped Michigan journalism and strengthened the role of a free press in public life.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As the Moon conjoins unanticipated Uranus in unshakable Taurus, we’re braced to renegotiate matters involving money and comfort.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The initial plan called for DHS personnel assigned to these programs to be redirected to assist the broader traveling public, as travelers braced for longer lines to clear security.—
Ayesha Ali,
ABC News,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Most people can meet their vitamin B1 needs through a balanced diet including pork, fish, whole grains, legumes, and fortified foods.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
25 Feb. 2026
-
In peace negotiations to date, Putin's envoys have demanded that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the entirety of the heavily fortified Donbas -- which is made up of Donetsk and Luhansk -- including parts not occupied by Russia.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Those who noticed the quake are encouraged to report it via the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The introduction encouraged the writer to not hold back when answering questions, advice that Sarah, with her blunt, forthright style, didn’t really need.—
Gerald Witt,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The surge in Crete last year hardened political positions in Athens.—
LEFTERIS PITARAKIS,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The surge in Crete last year hardened political positions in Athens.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Steeled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steeled. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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