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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 October was much better, however, and involved two matches where Flick believes his young side proved its mettle. —

Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 Mars retrograde introduces fresh competition to test your mettle. —

USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024 Miami has had high-profile opportunities to prove its mettle before, but squandered nearly all of them. —

Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2024 The warrants also provide an opportunity for Israel’s judicial system to prove its mettle: The ICC has declared that if Israel chooses to prosecute the allegations in its national court system, the warrants will be dropped. —

Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mettle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettle

Noun

Over the past few years, the strength of the U.S. economy and the job market have surprised almost everyone.

PAUL WISEMAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Feelings of despair and hopelessness prevail but there is also a vast amount of strength and a want to do something to help.

Dana Feldman, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025