as in sword
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 to inspire
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 to strengthen
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 to brace
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of steel
Sarah Madaus, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025
It’s been a rollercoaster ride with the European Union also now affected by charges on steel and aluminum imports, with further ones threatened on wine and spirits.
—Nick Thomas, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
The White House seemed to have steeled itself against an adverse reaction in the stock market, even as, by Wednesday morning, the total market had fallen by about twenty per cent from its high.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steel
Noun
The stand is made with wood, and features a steel and leather top surface.
—Sarah Madaus, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025
It’s been a rollercoaster ride with the European Union also now affected by charges on steel and aluminum imports, with further ones threatened on wine and spirits.
—Nick Thomas, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
While no cases have been reported in the Kansas City metro, health officials are steeling themselves for the possibility the disease will emerge in the area.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
The White House seemed to have steeled itself against an adverse reaction in the stock market, even as, by Wednesday morning, the total market had fallen by about twenty per cent from its high.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steel
Noun
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Lind was injured by a samurai sword during the altercation.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2025
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The battles are chockablock with clashing swords and explosions; more whimsical stuff, such as a house made of sheep wool and another constructed entirely of mushrooms, is relegated to background-joke status.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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May the light of Easter inspire efforts to promote harmony in the western Balkans and sustain political leaders in their efforts to allay tensions and crises, and, together with their partner countries in the region, to reject dangerous and destabilizing actions.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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The sight of a suitcase has historically inspired dread in me.—
Elisa Wouk Almino,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Lastly, the acquisition strengthens the company’s balance sheet and should allow for significant share repurchases over time.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2025
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And the reports are then published, so the broader firefighting community can strengthen its procedures to avoid similar losses.—
Mark Olalde,
ProPublica,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Now city leaders are bracing for a nearly $1-billion budget deficit.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2025
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Chipotle, like other restaurants and fast-food chains that rely on supplies from Mexico, also forecast tepid annual comparable sales growth, bracing for a hit from inflation.—
Ananya Mariam Rajesh,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The goal of the tax subsidies was to encourage more Americans to save for retirement.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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But it was avoided at that time with a mix of strong economic growth, disinflation and a robust labor market encouraged by the Federal Reserve, Daco said.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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And then, as if he’s already relived the moment in question and arrived at the same, grim decision, Joel’s expression hardens.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Apr. 2025
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Farmers say their forebears initially enjoyed super yields, but the soil has hardened over time, and yields have plummeted, leading to more chemical use.—
Brooke Roberts-Islam,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Because the people in charge didn’t pick the right players, and didn’t draft well enough with the leftover picks to fortify the roster.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
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But all that has only fortified a character who went from hapless brother-in-law to inarguably the most evolved one of the bunch.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In 1970, the average Chinese woman was expected to bear up to six children throughout her lifetime.—
Micah McCartney,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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In 1970, the average Chinese woman was expected to bear up to six children throughout her lifetime.—
Micah McCartney,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steel. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.
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