as in swords
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
Relevance
1
as in inspires
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 strengthens
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 braces
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
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 steels
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
The eye fixed on me, binding me to millions—billions—of other eyes, only steels my resolve to see my sacrifice through to the end.
—
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Following the printing process, the team found that the parts only needed 6 hours or so of treatment, which is a surprise, as typically most high-performance steels need multiple heat treatments to finish.
—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Apr. 2026
China’s industrial system is not only vast but deeply integrated, supported by specialty steels, alloys, industrial minerals and advanced materials.
—
Sahit Muja,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Welsh and Griggs, like most culinary professionals, prefer honing steels and whetstones.
—
Randi Gollin,
Martha Stewart,
15 Jan. 2026
Nickel is primarily used to make stainless steel and other alloy steels, as well as batteries.
—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2026
In the play’s forthright, direct-to-the-audience expression of political necessity, Susannah Flood is the piece’s avatar of Wohl, but the show’s true essence is embodied by Betsy Aidem, playing a tightly wound housewife, who steels the younger women around her to face the struggle to come.
—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
14 Dec. 2025
Advertisement While Gaal steels herself, the force that’s stalked her visions finally arrives, stepping into view with the certainty of someone who’s already seen the ending.
—
Jp Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
But while Western knives tend to prioritize durability, many Japanese knife steels prioritize high carbon content for better sharpness and edge retention.
—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
The eye fixed on me, binding me to millions—billions—of other eyes, only steels my resolve to see my sacrifice through to the end.
—
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Following the printing process, the team found that the parts only needed 6 hours or so of treatment, which is a surprise, as typically most high-performance steels need multiple heat treatments to finish.
—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Apr. 2026
China’s industrial system is not only vast but deeply integrated, supported by specialty steels, alloys, industrial minerals and advanced materials.
—
Sahit Muja,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Welsh and Griggs, like most culinary professionals, prefer honing steels and whetstones.
—
Randi Gollin,
Martha Stewart,
15 Jan. 2026
Nickel is primarily used to make stainless steel and other alloy steels, as well as batteries.
—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
In the final clip, Chani steels herself and runs toward an invisible adversary.
—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2026
In the play’s forthright, direct-to-the-audience expression of political necessity, Susannah Flood is the piece’s avatar of Wohl, but the show’s true essence is embodied by Betsy Aidem, playing a tightly wound housewife, who steels the younger women around her to face the struggle to come.
—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
14 Dec. 2025
Advertisement While Gaal steels herself, the force that’s stalked her visions finally arrives, stepping into view with the certainty of someone who’s already seen the ending.
—
Jp Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steels
Noun
-
When the Gold Cloaks march into the palace and proclaim their new loyalties, Rickard’s men defy him by laying down their swords, too.
-
Much like Jesse's Service Weapon in the original, Aberrant can morph into multiple kinds of weapons, such as dual swords, an axe, and a scythe.
Verb
-
July 23 – August 22 Leo, your playful spark inspires teamwork now.
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
Verb
-
Culture strengthens when communication is transparent, feedback loops close and leaders are accountable for engagement.
-
Scientists say similar widespread impacts have not yet been documented in the current marine heatwave, but warn that conditions could shift quickly if El Niño strengthens as forecast.
Verb
-
Thousands of migrants are fleeing South Africa as the country braces for violence after an anti-immigrant group set a Tuesday deadline for all undocumented migrants to leave.
-
As cybersecurity braces for a post-quantum world where standard encryption keys will become obsolete, Q-Dice offers a concrete line of defense.
Verb
-
Valentine also testified that the FDA encourages infant formula companies to send in all adverse event reports and that nothing prevented Mead Johnson from doing so.
-
Kalibrate’s program, according to the lawsuit, encourages gas stations to upload private price data.
Verb
-
As patterns become clear and predictable, the organization hardens them into deterministic rules.
-
Practically overnight, Sylvia’s cozy attitude toward the girl hardens into coolness, impatience and neglect.
Verb
-
Inside, soy proteins repair and strengthen, copper peptides stimulate keratin production–aka the protein that fortifies and minimizes frizz–and pro-B vitamins amplify fullness.
-
The Olive and June product can also be applied daily to bare nails as an intensive strengthening treatment that not only fortifies your claws, but also repairs ridges, discoloration, and pesky peeling along the way.
Cite this Entry
“Steels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steels. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
