as in sword
a hand weapon with a length of metal sharpened on one or both sides and usually tapered to a sharp point
drew steel on the bandits, who immediately fled for their lives
Synonyms & Similar Words
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1
as in to inspire
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
hoped that his inspirational talk would steel the youths in the pursuit of their dreams
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to strengthen
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure
years of running a farm had steeled the hard-bitten woman
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to brace
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
he had spent the previous night steeling himself for the moment when he would demand a raise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of steel
Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 6 Feb. 2025
The network itself consists of tensioned cables spanning 500-985 feet, interspersed with shorter sections of steel rail for smooth turns and junctions.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025
Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024
Companies have also been steeling themselves for a busier-than-usual holiday season.
—Erika Tulfo, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for steel 
Noun
In 1965, groups of ten aquanauts spent stints in a fifty-seven-foot steel cylinder off the coast of La Jolla, California.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 6 Feb. 2025
The network itself consists of tensioned cables spanning 500-985 feet, interspersed with shorter sections of steel rail for smooth turns and junctions.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
Later, Schwimmer and accomplices turned themselves in; most of them were Jewish, and argued that seeing the abject cruelty and genocide perpetrated against the Jews in the Holocaust steeled their resolve to make a righteous moral choice.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024
Companies have also been steeling themselves for a busier-than-usual holiday season.
—Erika Tulfo, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for steel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steel
Noun
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Around 100 spearheads, swords, lances, and chainmail were also found at the site as part of a 1,600-year-old weapon offering.—
Francesca Aton,
ARTnews.com,
11 Feb. 2025
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See sword demonstrations and learn about how ladies dressed and how people danced and more.—
Heather McRea,
Orange County Register,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The 2022 law, which created the Connecticut Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, was inspired by model legislation offered up by President Joe Biden’s administration and was meant to ensure that the settlement funds were put to use counteracting the deadly effects of the opioid epidemic.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2025
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The spy thriller series is inspired by a real-life undercover operation that enlists female operatives known as Lionesses.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Internally, such programs foster a supportive and inclusive workplace environment where employees feel their physical and mental health are genuinely cared for, which in turn boosts company morale and strengthens team dynamics.—
Rebecca L. Palmer,
Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2025
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Hydrolyzed collagen firms the skin and minimizes the appearance of fine lines, while niacinamide brightens skin tone, calms the complexion and strengthens the skin barrier, and peptides smooth fine lines.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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After what happened with the Lakers and Mavericks, with Luka Dončić joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis headed to Texas, the Warriors were bracing themselves for a big move.—
Jerry McDonald,
The Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2025
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These sharp, bracing periods are too infrequent, though, and the back half of the album drifts into a kind of vaporous dream state that verges on self-indulgent.—
Carrie Battan,
The New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Provide opportunities for professional growth, encourage open feedback, and show appreciation for hard work.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr.,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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Applications encouraged from people of color, women, and/or veterans 5.—
Shimite Obialo,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Teen Shauna is hardened by the brutal losses of winter, and adult Taissa responds differently to reminders of the wilderness with Van by her side.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
14 Feb. 2025
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My eyes were hardening around the edges, just like my heart.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Soy Milk Soy milk is also fortified with calcium (added to it during processing).—
Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH,
Verywell Health,
6 Feb. 2025
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In order to infuse those poignant nuances, the singer fortified a part of her vocal range that had thinned out from performances on her Sweetener World Tour the year in 2019.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In 1970, the average Chinese woman was expected to bear up to six children throughout her lifetime.—
Micah McCartney,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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Fabricated from the double-layered material used in conveyor belts, its oatmeal-colored shape could bear up to 500 pounds of weight—ultimately solidifying the tote’s status in the pantheon of carryalls.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
WIRED,
16 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near steel
Cite this Entry
“Steel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steel. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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