METTLE Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

mettle

noun

Definition of mettle next

as in strength

strength of spirit; ability to continue despite difficulties He showed his mettle as a fighter tonight with a heroic comeback.

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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 Jackson and Allen have been circling around each other all season; in the MVP race, in the playoff hunt, in wider debates about rivalry, quarterbacking flair and big-game mettle. —

Oskar Garcia, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025 The Commanders, in fact, are appearing in Saturday's matchup in large part because of their mettle on do-or-die downs. —

Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025 For one of the few times, Roberts called a clubhouse meeting to reiterate his confidence in their veteran mettle. —

Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024 But there’s also no shame going with the sidekick, who proved his mettle after 10 games out by not missing a single defensive beat. —

Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for mettle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettle

Noun

And so our – our whole position from the beginning was trying to put America in a position of peace through strength.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2025
All guests were able to partake in a free fitness assessment that tested markers like grip strength to assign them a biological age.

— Emily Burns, WWD, 15 Feb. 2025