mettle

noun

Definition of mettlenext
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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How is the word mettle distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of mettle are courage, resolution, spirit, and tenacity. While all these words mean "mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship," mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

When can courage be used instead of mettle?

While the synonyms courage and mettle are close in meaning, courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

When could resolution be used to replace mettle?

The words resolution and mettle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

When might spirit be a better fit than mettle?

The meanings of spirit and mettle largely overlap; however, spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

How do tenacity and resolution relate to one another, in the sense of mettle?

Tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

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 mettle How a front office handles the unforeseen is the true test of a program’s mettle. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 Junior bull riders generally graduate from riding horses, learning balance and agility, before testing their mettle on miniature bulls. — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026 After years of bitcoin rewarding those who held through periods of volatility, the selloff is just the latest test of investors’ mettle. — Mike Winters, CNBC, 12 June 2026 The best-yet test of artificial intelligence’s mathematical mettle has released its first official round of results. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mettle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettle
  1. strength
  2. stamina
  3. power
  4. courage
Noun
  • Loss of muscle strength, medication side effects, neurological conditions, and changes in vision or balance can all affect gait.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Guest judge Willy Chavarria praises how Jeffrey’s outfit moved (my favorite thing about it), but the strength of Naheim’s tromp l’oeil effect snags him the win, immunity for the next challenge, and $20,000 from Viva.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of strength
Noun
  • The stamina required to rehearse and perform shows that involve pivoting, marching, carrying large instruments, running, and more can burn more calories than an elliptical workout.
    — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Building the habit That decision-making stamina doesn’t have to come from anywhere complicated.
    — Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of stamina
Noun
  • Since Chinese leader Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, many aspects of personal life for members of the Communist Party or the state sector, from divorce to travel and social activities, have come under increasing scrutiny.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The genius villain is telepathic and has several powers, including superhuman strength, telekinesis, energy projection, shapeshifting and teleportation.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of power
Noun
  • None of this would exist without the ones who came before us, that first generation that had the courage to leave everything behind.
    — Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Leadership roles or intimidating pivots that require you to have courage are no exception.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of courage

Phrases Containing mettle

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metrosexual
mettle
mettlesome
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Cite this Entry

“Mettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettle. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mettle

Nglish: Translation of mettle for Spanish Speakers

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