Steeled
/stiːld/
verbB2past tense
Definition
To be "steeled" means to prepare your mind or feelings to be strong and not easily upset by a hard or scary situation. It is like getting ready inside yourself to stay calm and brave when something bad or challenging happens.
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See It in Action
To prepare oneself mentally for a difficult situation
- •She steeled herself before giving the speech in front of a large crowd.
- •He steeled his nerves before the important exam.
- •They steeled themselves to hear the bad news.
To make something physically stronger by adding steel (less common in everyday speech)
- •The workers steeled the building’s frame to make it safe.
- •The sword’s blade was steeled to be sharp and strong.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "steeled" like "ready," but not just any readiness—it's a strong, firm readiness like metal that does not bend.
- ✓Picture a person standing tall and calm before a storm, their mind like hard steel that does not break.
- ✓It's the feeling when you take a deep breath to stop being scared and get strong inside before doing something hard.
- ✓Sounds like "steel" → imagine your heart or mind becoming as hard and strong as a piece of steel metal.
- ✓Think of a hero in a story who prepares mentally before a big battle or challenge.
- ✓NOT like "worried" or "afraid" — "steeled" means you stop fear and get strong inside.
- ✓NOT like "excited" — it's about strength and calm, not happiness or joy.
- ✓NOT like "give up" — "steeled" means you get ready to keep going, no matter how hard it is.
Try Other Words
- •Hardened: made mentally or emotionally stronger (Use when the person becomes less sensitive or more tough)
- •Braced: got ready for impact or difficulty (Use when expecting something to happen soon)
- •Fortified: made stronger or protected (Use for physical or mental strength)
- •Strengthened: made stronger in general (Use for physical, mental, or emotional improvement)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "steel" (a strong metal) + "-ed" (past tense suffix meaning action done)
- •Etymology: Comes from the noun "steel," used metaphorically to mean making someone’s mind or feelings as strong as steel
- •Historical development: Originally meant to cover or strengthen with steel; later used figuratively to mean mental or emotional strengthening
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in literature and speech to describe mental preparation for tough situations
Reflect & Connect
•How do you "steel" yourself when you face something difficult in your own life?
•Can "steeling" your mind sometimes make you feel less emotional or less connected? When might that be good or bad?
Fill in the blanks
1.Before the exam, she steeled herself to ___ any questions she did not know.
2.They steeled their nerves ___ the announcement of the results.
3.Unlike being scared, when you are steeled, you feel ___ and ready.
4.The team steeled themselves ___ the tough challenge ahead.
5.He steeled his mind, ___ not to show fear in front of others.
6.When someone is steeled, they often try to ___ their emotions.
7.The soldiers steeled themselves ___ the noise and chaos of battle.