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
Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
When Cedar Point unveiled Magnum XL-200, then the tallest, fastest, steepest coaster on the planet, Six Flags countered with Goliath, a 235-foot steel monster known for occasionally making its riders black out from G-force.
—HubSpot, 1 June 2026
Justin Kroll, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
So, once again, steel yourself.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for steel
Noun
The Hudson Yards project in New York City was impacted by a shortage of steel and other building materials due to market demand, tariffs and production issues.
—Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
When Cedar Point unveiled Magnum XL-200, then the tallest, fastest, steepest coaster on the planet, Six Flags countered with Goliath, a 235-foot steel monster known for occasionally making its riders black out from G-force.
—HubSpot, 1 June 2026
Verb
In the final clip, Chani steels herself and runs toward an invisible adversary.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
So, once again, steel yourself.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for steel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steel
Noun
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Edgefield, South Carolina, was a slaving town with a violent reputation, a place where men roamed with swords and pistols, ever ready to avenge an insult.—
Rob Wolfe,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2026
-
Adam does find his sword and returns to Eternia, fairly early in the film, to fulfill his destiny as a powerful warrior who (eventually) goes by the name of He-Man.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The case inspired police reforms in Colorado, including a ban on carotid artery chokeholds.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
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Go at sunset for creative cocktails (the current menu is inspired by the golden age of cinema) and panoramic views.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Robb Report,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Environmental advocates, however, argue the RMP helps protects residents near chemical facilities by requiring preventative safety measures and should be strengthened and expanded, according to the Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
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Still, the web will likely remain heavily censored, experts warned; Tehran is reportedly using Chinese hardware to strengthen its censorship capabilities, further proof that Beijing is exporting the technology that powers its cutting-edge firewall.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
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England are braced for potential disruption to their two warm-up friendlies in Florida, against New Zealand in Tampa on Saturday, and Costa Rica in Orlando on June 10.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
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Although the novel’s center does not quite hold, O’Farrell’s emotional intelligence — the heart and heat of her characters — braces this sometimes unwieldy chronicle of a nation that has been subject to cumbrous historic agonies.—
Rachel Vorona Cote,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Speaking between ballots, Tafoya repeatedly reminded delegates about the importance of winning the general election, while Schwarze encouraged them not to compromise their principles.—
Jay Gabler,
Twin Cities,
30 May 2026
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Kramer said the attendance cap was intentional and designed to encourage visitors to attend events throughout the region.—
Ben Wheeler
May 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Enterprises that spent years hardening endpoints, strengthening identity controls and building sophisticated security operations centers are now layering AI capabilities on top of existing environments without adapting the controls needed to govern them securely.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
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Dark lunar maria are visible sprawling across the moon's surface, where lava once rose to the surface before hardening to form enormous basaltic plains.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Cereals are usually fortified with B vitamins, folic acid, and iron.—
Jennifer Lefton,
Verywell Health,
1 June 2026
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Unknown to the Americans, and unspotted by their air reconnaissance, Peleliu is full of deep underground cave networks, which the Japanese had fortified and stocked with food, water and ammunition.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Verb
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It can also be used as a bench, bearing up to 355 pounds.—
Caitlyn Martyn
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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Harriet remembered there was something: inexpressibly affecting in the aspect of the frail little creature who had done such wonderful things, and who was able to bear up, with so bright an eye and so composed a countenance, under not only such a weight of sorrow, but such a prospect of solitude.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steel. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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