mettle

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mettle distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of mettle are courage, resolution, spirit, and tenacity. While all these words mean "mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship," mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

When can courage be used instead of mettle?

While the synonyms courage and mettle are close in meaning, courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

When could resolution be used to replace mettle?

The words resolution and mettle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

When might spirit be a better fit than mettle?

The meanings of spirit and mettle largely overlap; however, spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

How do tenacity and resolution relate to one another, in the sense of mettle?

Tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

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 Minnesota has shown its mettle, playing good opposition tight (Maryland, Michigan, Iowa) and picking up key wins over Illinois and Indiana. Mark Schindler, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025 To control the damage and prove his mettle, Hegseth barnstormed the Capitol for meetings with mostly Republican senators. Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2025 There are some who would prefer to see Bivol take on David Benavidez, the monstrous puncher who has proven his mettle at super middleweight and light heavyweight. Brian Mazique, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025 Across two record-setting seasons, Alan Ritchson has proved his mettle and then some as larger-than-life antihero Jack Reacher on Prime Video’s Reacher. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mettle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettle
Noun
  • Agam’s absence left a gaping hole in her family, but her siblings carried her strength.
    Efrat Lachter, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Haidt then gave us the helpful analogy of the emotional elephant for System 1 and the rational rider for System 2, illustrating that the enormity and strength of the elephant suggest that when the elephant and rider are in conflict, the elephant always wins.
    Tim Maurer, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Rather than signaling academic stamina alone, these meaningful experiences illustrate maturity, purpose, and a student’s potential for significant contributions to college communities.
    Ray Ravaglia, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The 52-year-old actress has been able to return to her craft, amid her battle with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), now that she’s increased her stamina and is relapse-free.
    Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This dispatchable energy from batteries stabilizes the U.S. power supply.
    Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Lastly, love it or hate it, but the return to office is in full swing, meaning WFH loungewear is taking a backseat to power suits, both on your feed and in real life.
    Jailynn Taylor, Essence, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, is all about new beginnings, courage and fresh starts.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Zegler’s Snow White is a princess who not only finds true love but also the courage to be the type of leader that her late father taught her to be.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettle. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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