Synonyms of steels

steels 1 of 2

noun

plural of steel

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

• swords
• blades
• brands
• rapiers
• sabers
• scimitars
• broadswords
• cutlasses
• smallswords

steels

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of steel

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

• inspires
• encourages
• bears up
• emboldens
• buoys (up)
• inspirits
• heartens
• cheers (up)
• reinforces
• stimulates
• provokes
• strengthens
• bucks up
• animates
• chirks (up)
• invigorates
• enlivens
• rallies
• enforces
• stirs
• galvanizes
• reassures
• fortifies
• assures
• energizes
• excites
• quickens
• boosts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourages
• disheartens
• daunts
• weakens
• depresses
• saddens
• undermines
• enfeebles
• dispirits
• demoralizes
• debilitates
• hamstrings
• intimidates
• psychs (out)

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

• strengthens
• hardens
• inures
• toughens
• fortifies
• seasons
• anneals
• bolsters
• adjusts
• indurates
• tempers
• braces
• adapts
• conditions
• reinforces
• invigorates
• forearms
• vitalizes
• acclimatizes
• trains
• acclimates
• buttresses
• immunizes
• enforces
• accustoms
• breaks in
• boosts
• habituates
• supports
• naturalizes
• props (up)
• limbers (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• softens
• exhausts
• weakens
• saps
• cripples
• enfeebles
• incapacitates
• emasculates
• sensitizes
• enervates
• debilitates
• hamstrings

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

• braces
• fortifies
• nerves
• strengthens
• poises
• readies
• arms
• forearms
• bolsters
• hardens
• inures
• toughens
• comforts
• psyches (up)
• reinforces
• seasons
• buttresses
• enforces
• buoys (up)
• sustains
• heartens
• emboldens
• rallies
• inspires
• stirs
• boosts
• rouses
• supports
• encourages
• cheers (up)
• props (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shakes
• discourages
• unnerves
• disheartens
• tires
• daunts
• demoralizes
• weakens
• softens
• undermines
• dispirits
• undercuts
• saps
• enfeebles
• psychs (out)
• debilitates
• enervates
• prostrates

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of steels

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. — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 8 July 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