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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Recent Examples of mettle
Some owners show their mettle for a spell, then find adequate reason to knuckle under; others have no intention of even pretending to do what is hard or what is right.
—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
What is now known as the Hermès Kelly is also how craftspeople test their mettle in the French company’s leather-goods training program, which lasts 18 months.
—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
Throw in a mafia crime family, a cyborg butler, and a young girl with unpredictable new powers for Deku and his allies to test their mettle against, and only the stoniest of hearts won’t be entertained.
—
Matt Kamen,
Wired News,
26 May 2026
Three Rock rises to the occasion But the members of Three Rock are eager to prove their mettle, especially Hartman (Simon Auclair), whose jealousy over Ace's graduation earlier this season left him with a massive chip on his shoulder.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for mettle
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
What is now known as the Hermès Kelly is also how craftspeople test their mettle in the French company’s leather-goods training program, which lasts 18 months.
—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
Throw in a mafia crime family, a cyborg butler, and a young girl with unpredictable new powers for Deku and his allies to test their mettle against, and only the stoniest of hearts won’t be entertained.
—
Matt Kamen,
Wired News,
26 May 2026
Three Rock rises to the occasion But the members of Three Rock are eager to prove their mettle, especially Hartman (Simon Auclair), whose jealousy over Ace's graduation earlier this season left him with a massive chip on his shoulder.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for mettle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettle
Noun
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Additional laser pulses reveal how much the ion’s quantum state has changed, allowing researchers to calculate the strength of the surrounding electric field.
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The link held even after accounting for traditional risk factors, though the strength varied by racial and ethnic group, a gap researchers say still needs further study before firm conclusions can be drawn about why.
Noun
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Be honest about your age, health and stamina.
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In Taurus, however, the red planet trades speed for stamina.
Noun
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Junior Caminero has already done some things no Rays players had ever accomplished, such as extending his sizzling power show on Friday to include hitting 10 home runs over a 10-game span.
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Plus, the power port includes three electrical outlets and three USB ports for powering appliances, speakers, and other devices.
Noun
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Their courage quickly wavers in the face of the location’s eerie atmosphere and the deafening sound of cicadas.
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That courage is greater than talent, and people remember who had it.
Cite this Entry
“Mettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettle. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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