STEELS Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 Nickel is primarily used to make stainless steel and other alloy steels, as well as batteries. — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025 Welsh and Griggs, like most culinary professionals, prefer honing steels and whetstones. — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 15 Jan. 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 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 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

Verb

In the final clip, Chani steels herself and runs toward an invisible adversary. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for steels

Noun

But, as exciting as swords and dragons are, that’s not really what his show is about.

— Brian Grubb, Vulture, 6 July 2026
KPop Demon Hunters Edition, NERF role-play items like character swords, and electronic light sticks, all expected by mid-July.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of swords

Verb

Culture strengthens when communication is transparent, feedback loops close and leaders are accountable for engagement.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
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.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Definition of strengthens

Verb

Paris — As France braces for another heatwave, it’s barely recovered from the last one.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
An extreme heat warning issued by the National Weather Service for the Pittsburgh area will enter a second day as the region braces for temperatures in the 90s and an impending heat wave.

— Mike Darnay, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of braces

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.

— David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Kalibrate’s program, according to the lawsuit, encourages gas stations to upload private price data.

— Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of encourages

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.

— Ellie Davis, Vogue, 25 June 2026
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.

— Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 3 June 2026

Definition of fortifies

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steeling

steels

steely

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“Steels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steels. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of steels

noun

verb

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