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
Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
The eye fixed on me, binding me to millions—billions—of other eyes, only steels my resolve to see my sacrifice through to the end.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Following the printing process, the team found that the parts only needed 6 hours or so of treatment, which is a surprise, as typically most high-performance steels need multiple heat treatments to finish.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Apr. 2026
Welsh and Griggs, like most culinary professionals, prefer honing steels and whetstones.
—Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 15 Jan. 2026
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
But while Western knives tend to prioritize durability, many Japanese knife steels prioritize high carbon content for better sharpness and edge retention.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
The eye fixed on me, binding me to millions—billions—of other eyes, only steels my resolve to see my sacrifice through to the end.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Following the printing process, the team found that the parts only needed 6 hours or so of treatment, which is a surprise, as typically most high-performance steels need multiple heat treatments to finish.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Apr. 2026
Welsh and Griggs, like most culinary professionals, prefer honing steels and whetstones.
—Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 15 Jan. 2026
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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Decadent art, with its mannerism, also its enthusiasm for skulls, swords, strippers, and other Hot Topic motifs, is for some art historians an embarrassing cul-de-sac best passed over in favor of a narrative of formal progress leading inevitably to abstraction.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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During the service, it is presented along with a number of spiritual ornaments, including the sovereign's orb and several swords, per the Royal Collection Trust.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But what inspires me is the idea of putting something beautiful into the world.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
So my hope is that at least a single candidate ups their game and comes to voters with not just attacks, but something that inspires, something that sets them apart.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Similarly, Texas requires a valid photo ID for filing deeds, and strengthens notary regulations by prohibiting notaries from sealing documents if the person signing is not physically present.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
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This move strengthens our wellness design leadership and reflects our focus on expanding capabilities, not just geography.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Local officials were assessing the extent of the damage and impact — as the region braces for more possible tornadoes in the days ahead.—
Ben Noll,
Washington Post,
24 Apr. 2026
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While Silicon Valley braces for overnight layoffs, is China faring any better?—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Sustainable Ihram Initiative also complements other efforts by the fashion commission, such as the Swap Shop program, which encourages consumers to exchange unwanted clothes rather than discarding them.—
FMG Studios,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
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Mouth tape encourages nasal breathing and may reduce snoring.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Lightly scrub grout or tile lines before buildup hardens further.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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Whether schools catch up, whether employers reverse the junior hiring freeze, and whether Washington produces anything resembling a workforce policy will determine whether the current anxiety hardens into something permanent.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What fortifies it the most is an appearance from Williams’ grandfather midway through the song.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2026
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Excited yet anxious over the prospect of reconnecting with the man that got away, the pair fortifies themselves with cocktails and bubbly during a boozy dinner.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Steels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steels. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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