metal

noun

Definition of metalnext
1
as in substance
the basic elements from which something can be developed She believes that love is the metal that binds us.

Related Words

Relevance
2
as in strength
strength of spirit The soldier showed his metal when held captive for several months.

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 metal Gold prices have also gained from Bessent's intervention as investors seek safe havens, with Deutsche Bank and Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio among those backing the precious metal. — Lisa Kim, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026 Also, there was no evidence of metals or any element other than hydrogen and helium in the spectrum. — ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026 Cars and batteries and plastics and metals and other things were incinerated, and a toxic plume traveled for miles. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 The line, an actual deposit of metal, is fine and consistent, uninflected by the changing pressure of the hand. — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for metal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metal
  1. substance
  2. strength
  3. material
  4. stamina
  5. stuff
  6. power
  7. matter
  8. potential
Noun
  • This risk is increased markedly when buprenorphine is combined with other substances that depress the central nervous system, particularly alcohol, benzodiazepines, and certain sedating medications.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Some undergo cosmetic procedures and reportedly inject their bodies with peptides, testosterone, and other substances that enhance their physiques.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of substance
Noun
  • The show is leaning into its strengths, dialing up the madcap comedy and overlapping dialogue while keeping the story lines rooted in recognizable rites of passage for young people.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Divya brings an incredible depth and emotional strength to the ensemble, and the combination of these three actors makes the world of the film particularly special.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of strength
Noun
  • Harp and her brother were home-schooled in San Diego by their mother, who used educational materials written from a biblical worldview.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The 21369 build is — in a rather fitting way, given the source material — quite an anomaly.
    — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of material
Noun
  • This one play offers a new snapshot of just how involved playing quarterback is and how much mental stamina and awareness will always be folded in.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • That might be due to grit, stamina—or a little psychological trick called a coping mantra.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of stamina
Noun
  • Aesha sends Kayley to deal with it, but a regular sink plunger can’t do the job — Nathan has to suction the stuff out with the wet vacuum.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
  • That foul ball, no foul ball in the fourth inning changes stuff, too.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of stuff
Noun
  • As Itauma continued attempting to throw power punches, Hrgović knew his opponent had nothing left and went for the kill.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The last act before festival founder Olivia Rodrigo, Roan turned it out with all of her powers—bolstered by a bold and bitchy, razor-sharp bob.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of power
Noun
  • Conduct a Soil Test Taking samples of the soil from several places in the lawn will provide information about soil acidity (pH), nutrient levels, and organic matter content.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
  • From obscurity to the top of the football world, all in the matter of a few days.
    — Sam McDowell August 29, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of matter
Noun
  • Lin said its relatively high gold grades add to its development potential.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Markets are currently weighing the potential for another intervention.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of potential

Browse Nearby Words

met
metal
metallic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Metal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metal. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on metal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about metal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All