as in strength
strength of spirit; ability to continue despite difficulties
He showed his mettle as a fighter tonight with a heroic comeback.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mettle
McAfee has competed successfully at significant events, defeating Austin Theory at WrestleMania 38, overcoming Happy Corbin at SummerSlam 2022, and besting The Miz at WrestleMania 39, proving his mettle as both a top-tier commentator and a surprisingly solid competitor.
—
Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro are also seen as having presidential mettle.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
As North America’s ski season winds down, passionate skiers and snowboarders begin making plans to test their mettle on the slopes of South America where the ski season begins in earnest in June and usually runs to October.
—Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Having revealed their mettle by simply getting to New York, they’re neither limited by policy nor the circumstances that instigated their migration to begin with.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mettle
Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro are also seen as having presidential mettle.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
As North America’s ski season winds down, passionate skiers and snowboarders begin making plans to test their mettle on the slopes of South America where the ski season begins in earnest in June and usually runs to October.
—Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Having revealed their mettle by simply getting to New York, they’re neither limited by policy nor the circumstances that instigated their migration to begin with.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mettle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettle
Noun
-
While there is a public confidence in the strength of the alliance, there are concerns about gaping capability gaps across Europe.—
Ellie Cook — reporting from Rovajärvi, northern Finland,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
-
Get together with your planning team and review each person’s strengths and weaknesses.—
Denis Sinelnikov,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Over time, this mindset builds creative stamina and psychological safety, both critical for navigating complex roles.—
Rob Robinson,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
The actors were so committed and had such dramatic stamina.—
Manohla Dargis,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
The power of trauma lies in its ability to diminish our sense of current safety and future stability.—
Clare Morell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
-
If the Heat doesn’t extend that qualifying offer, Mitchell would become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and Miami would lose the power to always have an opportunity match outside offers.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
That vision inspired the recent launch of Courage for Cam, a nonprofit dedicated to spreading hope, love, and courage to children facing pediatric cancer.—
Jordan Greene,
People.com,
2 June 2025
-
Israel urgently needs new, sober leadership with clear realistic vision and self-confidence—leadership capable of reading our people's soul, understanding partners' and rivals' minds, and above all, having courage to make decisions and power to implement them.—
Ehud Barak,
Time,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettle. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share