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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Let’s put our swords down for the good of sports.—
Andrew McCarty,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Avoid long or sharp swords, sticks or canes to prevent injury if a child trips and falls.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This reflection is what inspires the characters’ personal reflections, their detailing of the mythopoetic wonder of their proximity to the land, their intense solidarity with one another, and their fervent attachment to their individual and collective past.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Oct. 2025
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Beyond the shock factor, Crow hopes her video inspires others with old jetted tubs to check theirs, and encourages empathy for people maintaining older homes.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Besides promoting pain-free movement, building your back muscles strengthens the supporting muscles that aid in posture and stability.—
Leoni Jesner,
Health,
1 Nov. 2025
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Hunt believes his long-standing friendship with Mahomes only strengthens their on-field chemistry.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a culture where Hollywood creators worry about an AI takeover while a video-watching citizenry braces itself for a wave of synthetic media from Sora 2 and others, an AI commercial at this level is no small thing.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
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Trick-or-treaters can expect a chilly evening Friday as the Kansas City area braces for temperatures to drop continually over the next couple of days.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Instead of scrolling through Instagram—or, admittedly, hitting the snooze button a few too many times—Vig encourages you to spend that time sprucing up your space.—
Kelsey Mulvey,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
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In children and adolescents, physical activity promotes bone health; encourages healthy growth and the development of muscle; and improves motor and cognitive development.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With Ciri missing and Vilgefortz still at large, Yennefer’s ambition hardens into purpose.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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The confession struck him as both raw and deeply tragic, a glimpse of how ambition hardens into captivity.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Rice protein fortifies each strand to reduce breakage, while hyaluronic acid provides weightless hydration so hair stays soft without feeling heavy.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Steels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steels. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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