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
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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
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 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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Part of the writer’s job—well, maybe all of it—is to leave behind a text that inspires feeling and debate.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
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Artificial intelligence inspires both excitement and anxiety, and few people are as well equipped to separate signal from noise as Rajeev Kapur.—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Snow is expected to pile up in parts of the southern Appalachians, the Carolinas and southern Virginia late Friday night into Saturday as the storm rapidly strengthens offshore.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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Consistent, moderate exercise strengthens the immune system and reduces the frequency and severity of common illnesses.—
Fred Sassani,
Austin American Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) has confirmed a second death from last weekend's winter storm as the state braces for more extreme weather in the coming days.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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New Hampshire New Hampshire Public Radio has resources for finding shelters and staying safe as the state braces for extreme cold, including temperatures of -30 and wind gusts of up to 100 miles per hour.—
Anusha Mathur,
NPR,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Poetry Out Loud encourages high school students to learn about great poetry—both classic and contemporary—through memorization, performance, and competition.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
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Mitchell encourages people to have enough of their meds for at least 36 hours to get through next Tuesday and Wednesday, and to anticipate the pharmacies will be closed at least on Sunday.—
Lauren Linder,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The presence of an external enemy unifies the security forces, hardens their resolve, prevents defections, and makes internal fractures less likely.—
Omid Memarian,
The Atlantic,
25 Jan. 2026
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The shoots are harvested before the plant hardens into the woody stalks that bamboo is famous for — and that pandas chew.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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 31 Jan. 2026.
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