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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of steel
Julia Shapero, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
The majority of the lumber that the store sells comes from Canada and nearly all of its steel products are made in China, general manager Rieff Anawalt said.
—Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2025
Alex Konrad, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
President Trump’s administration deepened its pressure campaign on government employees to resign before a Thursday deadline, rattling and angering a civil service steeling itself for a prolonged battle with Elon Musk and his ongoing foray into the federal bureaucracy.
—Michael C. Bender, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steel
Noun
Canada announced a 25 percent tariff on U.S. goods earlier this month, followed by an additional 25 percent tariff on U.S. steel and aluminum unveiled Wednesday.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
The majority of the lumber that the store sells comes from Canada and nearly all of its steel products are made in China, general manager Rieff Anawalt said.
—Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
In its public communications, DOGE has told aspiring applicants to steel themselves for a grueling sprint.
—Alex Konrad, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
President Trump’s administration deepened its pressure campaign on government employees to resign before a Thursday deadline, rattling and angering a civil service steeling itself for a prolonged battle with Elon Musk and his ongoing foray into the federal bureaucracy.
—Michael C. Bender, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steel
Noun
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And memories of them putting the Reds to the sword are still very, very fresh.—
Sam Tighe,
The Athletic,
21 Mar. 2025
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The Mirror and the Light opens with that profoundly disturbing execution, Foy a pale rictus of fear and vulnerability as she is led to the block, where she is blindfolded and positioned before the executioner’s sword.—
Taylor Antrim,
Vogue,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Employees expect to understand why an assignment is given and inspired to do the right thing, rather than follow instructions blindly.—
Martin Zwilling,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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This year, for the first time in 44 years, the designers will also be creating botanical art inspired by architecture.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In addition to rosemary oil, this formula also contains plant proteins that strengthen the hair (leading to less breakage—something that can make your hair appear thinner) and hydrating ceramides.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
17 Mar. 2025
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These challenges form a connected ecosystem where strategic infrastructure investments drive economic growth, generating revenue for essential services while strengthening community bonds.—
Courier-News,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But lower interest rates can also push inflation upward, and U.S. consumers have already begun bracing for higher inflation because of tariffs.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2025
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And Ubisoft appears to be bracing for that, post-launch.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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On the positive side, the increase in applications from students of color and the growing diversity of the applicant pool are encouraging signs of progress toward more significant equity in higher education.—
Scott White,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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Community Board 2 voted against the project in May, hoping to encourage the state liquor board to deny the liquor license, though community boards have no actual blocking power.—
Bridget Read,
Curbed,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Select and prepare the planting location while the plants are hardening off.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2025
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Three years of conflict will have only hardened that sentiment – yet the U.S., under Trump’s leadership, looks increasingly willing to let Putin off the hook.—
Lena Surzhko Harned,
The Conversation,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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What hope had been fortified in the first half Wednesday had faded by the second.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2025
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Meanwhile, rising seas on Alaska's shoreline have forced the Pentagon to fortify radar sites.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA TODAY,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Each electrode pair weighs 1.5 g, bears up to 100 N, and changes states in less than 30 ms.—
Erico Guizzo,
IEEE Spectrum,
20 May 2016
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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
Cite this Entry
“Steel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steel. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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