steels 1 of 2

noun

plural of steel
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

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steels

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of steel
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

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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

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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

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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 steels
Noun
But stones and steels have their differences and not all of them live up to the hype. — Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Aug. 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. — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 8 July 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
  1. swords
  2. inspires
  3. strengthens
  4. braces
  5. encourages
  6. hardens
  7. fortifies
Noun
  • At the Palladium, James and her bandmate/husband Zachary took the stage in all-black leather, with thigh-high boots, swords, an inverted crucifix necklace and a giant silver Baphomet pendant.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Speaking of swords, Sam actually carries one around his San Francisco apartment while schmoozing with reporters over his blamelessness in the OpenAI ouster.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of swords
Verb
  • Music from kids’ movies often inspires connection, creativity, and even dance parties at home.
    — Stephanie Ganz Published, Parents, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Choose from one of three sleek colorways and let these headphones become the accessory that inspires the outfit.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of inspires
Verb
  • If any of the storms intensify and rotation strengthens, a warning may need to be issued.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026
  • This recognition further strengthens the ongoing collaboration between the Saudi Fashion Commission and Istituto Marangoni, established through a memorandum of understanding signed in 2024.
    — Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of strengthens
Verb
  • Top stories Fires Crews are battling a fire in Malibu as SoCal braces for another day of Santa Ana winds.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • This year’s event was as much about celebration as collaboration, defined by a spirit of togetherness for an industry that braces for the uncertain road ahead.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of braces
Verb
  • Applied to a solo outing, that approach encourages diners to appreciate the meal in front of them instead of scrolling through their phones.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Jordan says a recent guideline change encourages doctors to diagnose and treat sooner based on symptoms.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of encourages
Verb
  • The gossip hardens into something more official, as fellow teachers and school authorities start to treat her personal life as a disciplinary matter.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Europe hardens on migration as nationalist support grows European countries sought to harden migration rules in a bid to quell support for nationalist parties across the continent.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of hardens
Verb
  • The additional financing fortifies its position as one of two investors alongside the Ellison family controlling Paramount’s voting stock.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The addition of cotton and raw material-producing countries like Egypt and Ethiopia further fortifies a strong sourcing platform that already includes manufacturing giants India and China.
    — Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of fortifies

Browse Nearby Words

steeling
steels
steely
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Cite this Entry

“Steels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steels. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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