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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of steels
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
Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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
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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Big medals and engraved swords to the technical contributors, especially director of photography Adrian Biddie, whose light tones and droll eye add color and panache to Princess‘ appealing look.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
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Conquistadores used their swords as spits to roast babies as their mothers watched.—
Greg Grandin
September 23,
Literary Hub,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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What inspires you to make music these days?—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
2 Oct. 2025
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Take a trip back in time and see how Ali still inspires Louisville 50 years later.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By opening international doors for both new and established filmmakers, the award strengthens Netflix’s support for the creative community and boosts the global reach of Brazilian storytelling.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2025
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Equity capital strengthens the balance sheet but does not count as revenue, which helps explain why Williams could raise substantial funds in the year yet still report a loss.—
Alex Harrington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Airport workers face unpaid shifts during government shutdown As the federal government braces for a shutdown, essential airport personnel—including TSA officers and air traffic controllers—will remain on duty without pay.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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Hong Kong International Airport expects flights to be cut starting Tuesday as the Asian financial hub braces for one of its strongest super typhoons in years.—
Danny Lee,
Fortune,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Avoid over feeding plants, which encourages foliage to grow at the expense of blooms.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
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Guadagnino encourages our doubts, shooting Maggie in exaggerated horror-movie closeups set to the doomy bass notes and shrieking winds of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s score.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When a partner continually feels trapped behind excuses or counterattacks, the original frustration then hardens into resentment.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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But as Beijing hardens its ties with Russia, North Korea and other nations unfriendly to the West, the emergence of two camps and the contest between them appears clearer than ever.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Trying to stay ahead of the game, for Dick’s the acquisition of Foot Locker also fortifies relationships with Nike and Adidas, which still dominate global footwear sales, and gives Dick’s negotiating leverage.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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The future Hall of Famer only fortifies the talented roster, and gives Houston an experienced star who has the championship hardware to prove it.—
Valentina Martinez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steels. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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