as in swords
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 inspires
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 strengthens
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 braces
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 steels
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
For example, stainless steel has the addition of chromium to add rust resistance, while alloy steels might add nickel, copper, or aluminum to serve as construction material.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Nickel is primarily used to make stainless steel and other alloy steels, as well as batteries.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
Advertisement While Gaal steels herself, the force that’s stalked her visions finally arrives, stepping into view with the certainty of someone who’s already seen the ending.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
These findings, published in Corrosion Science, suggest that while current alloys fail under these conditions, a new class of steels can withstand temperatures up to 800°C (1472°F)—far exceeding typical reactor operating conditions.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
For example, stainless steel has the addition of chromium to add rust resistance, while alloy steels might add nickel, copper, or aluminum to serve as construction material.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Nickel is primarily used to make stainless steel and other alloy steels, as well as batteries.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
In the play’s forthright, direct-to-the-audience expression of political necessity, Susannah Flood is the piece’s avatar of Wohl, but the show’s true essence is embodied by Betsy Aidem, playing a tightly wound housewife, who steels the younger women around her to face the struggle to come.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
Advertisement While Gaal steels herself, the force that’s stalked her visions finally arrives, stepping into view with the certainty of someone who’s already seen the ending.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steels
Noun
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The Tofinu took refuge in the lagoons along the Bight of Benin, a core area of the slave trade, venturing forth in canoes with harpoons, javelins, and swords to fight off raiders from powerful nearby kingdoms.—
Laurent Dubois,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
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Flaming swords or not, Boise’s newest steakhouse on the block clearly wants impressed diners who view El Gaucho as fine-dining fire.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The sales pitch rhetoric inspires few.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Key Takeaways Calcium builds and strengthens bones, while vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.—
T'Keyah Bazin,
Verywell Health,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Perhaps witnessing that transformation strengthens its usefulness to others.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As South Florida braces for a rare cold snap, community groups are stepping up efforts to help those living without a reliable shelter.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
31 Dec. 2025
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Residents of Los Angeles spent the day before Christmas under rain showers and winds of around 40 mph, while the New England area braces for heavy snow later in the week.—
Kathryn Prociv,
NBC news,
24 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Besides the gleaming blue hull, the 60-footer has an open layout that encourages sociability while promoting privacy in areas like the sunbed at the stern or foredeck lounge.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
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Each troll has a name and a story that encourages nature exploration and ultimately finding ways to protect the earth.—
Khadejeh Nikouyeh,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Then the storm moves on, the sun returns, and the surface hardens again, cracked and chalky, as if the place is trying to erase the evidence that water ever touched it.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
1 Jan. 2026
-
But her attitude toward them eventually hardens.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
That night, Pam fortifies herself with a few drinks and answers when the phone rings.—
Allegra Goodman,
New Yorker,
4 Jan. 2026
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The Supreme Court’s 6-3 conservative majority regularly fortifies religious rights, but the justices have also been wary of expanding government officials’ exposure to damages in their individual capacities.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steels. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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