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
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Recent Examples of steels
Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 15 Jan. 2026
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
Justin Kroll, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
Welsh and Griggs, like most culinary professionals, prefer honing steels and whetstones.
—Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 15 Jan. 2026
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 final clip, Chani steels herself and runs toward an invisible adversary.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
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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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
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Traditional quest narratives, shaped by the hero’s journey, are tethered to swords, battles, monsters, and a troubling disregard for collateral damage.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
24 Mar. 2026
-
If such talk inspires you, there will be plenty of it.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Security strengthens as finance-conscious Venus conjoins fertile Chiron in your 2nd House of Logistics, bolstering your capacity to be practical without losing that characteristic Pisces whimsy.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
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Tschacher and colleagues showed in 2024 that music can align listeners’ physiological responses and attention patterns—and that even when people aren’t feeling exactly the same emotion, the synchronicity of their reactions alone strengthens the sense of shared experience.—
Yook JiHun,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Whenever the weather changes suddenly, or the skyline becomes shrouded in a windy haze, Fernanda Camarillo braces herself for an asthma attack.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
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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
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Haller encourages anyone with an early or strong family history of colon cancer to talk to their doctor and get screened even earlier.—
Emily McLeod,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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As Adam reenters the dating world, his sister encourages him to view it as a fresh start, and scenic designer Milo Bue visually evokes the idea of a blank slate by employing off-whites and greys for Adam’s studio apartment in New York City.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His turn into villainy is trickier, yet Gosling hardens his voice and his gaze and successfully spars with the murderer’s row of Giamatti, Clooney, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
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The glue slowly hardens, giving surgeons time to position the flap.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Justin Faulk immediately fortifies Detroit’s second defense pair next to Ben Chiarot.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Adding keratin back into hair fortifies the strands ultimately yielding stronger, healthier hair.—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Steels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steels. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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