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
China’s industrial system is not only vast but deeply integrated, supported by specialty steels, alloys, industrial minerals and advanced materials.
—Sahit Muja, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 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
China’s industrial system is not only vast but deeply integrated, supported by specialty steels, alloys, industrial minerals and advanced materials.
—Sahit Muja, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 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
-
Recipients of the emperor’s mercy were given symbolic wooden swords to carry with them in perpetuity.—
Cullen Murphy,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
-
Meanwhile, a co-op game turned the four of us demoing it into ninjas defending a castle by slashing our swords on beat.—
Jordan Minor,
PC Magazine,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
-
Someone who inspires me with her big, beautiful heart.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Promoting talent internally strengthens employee retention, reduces recruitment costs and enhances company culture.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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The Kérastase Chronologiste Revitalizing Youth Shampoo removes buildup, cleanses the scalp, softens and strengthens strands (meaning less breakage), increases moisture starting at the root, improves follicle health (meaning less shedding), and imparts shine.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
15 June 2026
Verb
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ComEd is responding to over 5,000 active outages as the Chicago area braces for multiple rounds of severe storms on Thursday.—
Darius Johnson,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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Kochen’s chain of about 30 companies — which operated under the CLADD Group LLC in North Miami — sold durable medical equipment such as knee, shoulder and wrist braces to patients who were referred by doctors affiliated with Herek’s telemedicine business, VirtualNet.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
Verb
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The flyer encourages students to celebrate the end of the school year after finals.—
CBS Baltimore Staff,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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When their biggest demonic enemy (Lee Byung-hun) encourages the formation of an equally popular K-pop boy band aimed at stealing the souls of their fans, the trio has to fight harder than ever to hold the demons at bay while keeping their friendship intact.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Beth's expression immediately hardens.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
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The observations revealed a temporary chemical pathway that reshapes how the material hardens.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The Olive and June product can also be applied daily to bare nails as an intensive strengthening treatment that not only fortifies your claws, but also repairs ridges, discoloration, and pesky peeling along the way.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
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The Plumb Club is involved in this effort because presenting third-party assurances of an item’s sourcing and production history builds customer trust, drives sales and thus fortifies the gem, jewelry and watch industries.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Steels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steels. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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