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
-
President Daniel Noboa launched an armed campaign against gangs and declared states of emergency in several provinces, including Manabi, deploying the military to support police operations.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Israeli attacks weakened Iran’s regional armed proxy groups such as Hamas and Hezbollahwhile US strikes dealt significant damage to the country’s nuclear program, which the government spent billions to develop.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Then keep scrolling to shop more picks inspired by celebrities.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Anderon’s longtime collaborator John Nollet swept her icy-blonde hair into a chic chignon with a deep side part, inspired by a modern take on a bouffant style.—
Cheryl Wagemann,
InStyle,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The dialogue between past and present will be strengthened further with the opening of the Jewish Academy in the Westend district.—
CNT Editors,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
-
When Mars and Venus are both in cazimi — activated by the sun in Capricorn — relationships may undergo a reset where intentions are clarified and commitments are either strengthened or redefined.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While Glenn braced herself for backlash, the overwhelmingly positive reception felt like freedom.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Aisha braced in anticipation of her next question.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Orange juice provides more vitamin C than non-fortified apple juice, but some types of fortified apple juices may have more vitamin C than orange juice.—
Angela Ryan Lee,
Verywell Health,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The final season follows the New York kingpin's journey to build a fortified drug empire in Chicago.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But Flint encouraged people to attend the commissioners’ court meeting and speak against the Comanche Circle proposal.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
-
All retailers are being encouraged to honor customer claims.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Parashat Va’era tells us that Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, but the Torah does not describe him as raging all the time.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Once the polish is fully dry and hardened, use a credit card or your fingers to lift under the blob and break it off.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Steeled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steeled. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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