steel 1 of 2

noun

ˈstēl How to pronounce steel (audio)
Definition of steelnext
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

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steel

2 of 2

verb

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

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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

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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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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 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
  1. sword
  2. inspire
  3. strengthen
  4. brace
  5. encourage
  6. harden
  7. fortify
  8. bear up
Noun
  • Trade War Overview Tariff threats and trade policies are being weaponized to advance U.S. geopolitical conflict deterrence and economic statecraft, acting as the sword and shield of economic security to support U.S. self-sufficiency and undercut Chinese economic power.
    — Jason Schenker, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Some weapons, like warhammers, can only do blunt damage, while something like a sword or spear can switch between slicing and stabbing at the push of a button.
    — William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of sword
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of inspire
Verb
  • 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
  • In addition to Nixon’s EPA, President Teddy Roosevelt created the national parks, George H.W. Bush strengthened the Clean Air Act and George W. Bush set tougher rules on diesel truck emissions and the first guidelines for mercury pollution from power plants.
    — Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of strengthen
Verb
  • And Ubisoft appears to be bracing for that, post-launch.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Definition of brace
Verb
  • 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
  • Perhaps more importantly, trade war concerns have had a bigger hold on the market: Stocks have tumbled this week despite encouraging inflation data .
    — Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of encourage
Verb
  • Select and prepare the planting location while the plants are hardening off.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Public opinion in Europe has hardened against Russia, and there is a growing recognition that strategic dependency on the U.S. is untenable.
    — Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of harden
Verb
  • What hope had been fortified in the first half Wednesday had faded by the second.
    — Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Meanwhile, rising seas on Alaska's shoreline have forced the Pentagon to fortify radar sites.
    — Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of fortify
Verb
  • 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
  • In 1970, the average Chinese woman was expected to bear up to six children throughout her lifetime.
    — Micah McCartney, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Definition of bear up

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“Steel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steel. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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