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

Examples of mettle in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web After just over two weeks of entertaining action featuring South America’s best women’s soccer teams, Corinthians proved their mettle once again. —

Neel Shelat, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 For the seventh year in a row, data scientists and analytics buffs will be invited to test their mettle against each other in the league’s Big Data Bowl, powered by Amazon Web Services. —

Nicolas Vega, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2024 The Capricorn first quarter moon tests your mettle, stirring up jealousies or insecurities. —

USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2024 Puerto Viejo de Talamanca In fall, expert surfers flock to this lively beach town to test their mettle riding Salsa Brava, arguably Costa Rica’s biggest barreling wave. —

Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mettle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettle

Noun

Built to its lot lines on all sides, the landmarked tower has a palazzo-type facade that extends from ground to roof, meant to assure of its strength and stability.

Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2024
But Selzer’s poll could be a sign of Harris’s strength with white voters in that region of the country, which could augur well for her in neighboring Wisconsin.

The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024