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mettle

mettle

14 7.7
The courage and determination to keep going in hard situations
  • noun
  • /ˈmɛtəl/
: valor
  • Now for the real test of mettle.
  • prove their mettle
  • test their mettle

But it's so important like, and I think it does test your mettle for sure.

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Examples

  • For ten years we've been tested and tried, and each man-jack of you here has proved his mettle a hundred times over.

  • Mary Lou and her mother could have been sisters; they shared the same mettle and determination.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • It's a test of mettle in their culture.

  • Test his mettle, as it were.

  • I'll have to test your mettle first.

  • It's a chance to prove your mettle.

  • I wonder if you have the mettle to be in my Marine Corps.

    Blog text (31)
  • Let's see if you have the brains and the mettle to handle it effectively.

    Blog text (28)
  • Another tragedy offered yet another opportunity for VA social workers to show their mettle.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Despite the challenges she faced, her determination and spirit truly showed her mettle.

Synonyms

heart
vsmettle
∞ 1.8

The center of a person's feelings, like love or courage

focuses specifically on the power to continue despite difficulties
fight
vsmettle
155 2.5

Strong determination and energy to keep trying in hard situations

stresses ongoing inner courage rather than active competitiveness
nerve
vsmettle
112 3.9

Courage to do something despite feeling afraid

stresses lasting determination to continue rather than single bold acts
endurance
vsmettle
72 3.4

Ability to keep doing hard physical or mental work for a long time

is more about courageous action and determination in hard moments
perseverance
vsmettle
44 4.1

Continuing to try hard when things are difficult or take a long time

is about immediate courage and spirit to continue under pressure
grit
vsmettle
33 5.3

Courage to keep going when things are hard

is about general ability and determination to continue under hardship
fortitude
vsmettle
  • Formal
32 6.7

Courage and inner strength when facing pain or trouble

is similar but centers on ongoing determined action rather than mental strength alone
tenacity
vsmettle
31 6.0

Not giving up when things are hard

emphasizes courage to continue under difficulty rather than goal focus
spunk
vsmettle
24 7.6

A brave, determined attitude when facing danger or difficulty

is more about steady perseverance and ongoing resolve
fighting spirit
vsmettle
7 3.9

A strong will and courage to keep trying against difficulties

is more general, covering calm resolve to continue in hardship
pluck
vsmettle
7 7.6

Courage and determination when facing danger or problems

is broader, naming general ability to continue despite problems
gutsiness
vsmettle
  • Informal
1 7.0

Bravery and determination when facing danger or risk

is about continuing despite difficulty rather than bold risk taking
grittiness
vsmettle
1 5.1

Bravery and determination in difficult situations

highlights overall continuing determination rather than physical toughness
stoutness
vsmettle
1 6.0

Being very brave and determined when facing problems

applies specifically to the power to continue under difficulty
valiance
vsmettle
  • Literature
1 8.9

A person's brave action when they face danger

refers to general courage and continuing determination rather than heroics
pluckiness
vsmettle
1 7.9

Courage and determination when someone faces danger or difficulty

focuses more on the continuing power to withstand hardship
stalwartness
vsmettle
1 8.2

Firm determination that does not change

leans more toward spirited courage to carry on rather than firmness alone
heartedness
vsmettle
1 7.0

A brave, determined feeling when facing danger or difficulty

is broader, naming overall continuing strength and determination
tenaciousness
vsmettle
1 7.3

A strong will to keep trying and not give up

focuses more on brave spirit to keep going than mere persistence
dauntlessness
vsmettle
1 8.1

Brave, determined action when facing danger or difficulty

focuses more on steady will to continue despite fear
incredible grit
vsmettle
1 4.4

A very strong will to keep trying when things are hard

covers ordinary courage and spirit rather than exceptional resilience
stoutheartedness
vsmettle
9.2

Brave and determined actions in hard times

is the broader idea of sustained ability to continue despite trouble
mettlesomeness
vsmettle
9.9

A quality that makes someone brave and determined

is the general concept of ability and determination to keep going

Antonyms

44 5.5

Lack of courage to face danger or difficulty

6 5.8

Feeling too shy or afraid to try new things

How Courageous

heroism
59 4.2
bravery
107 2.3
courage
756 1.4
mettle
14 7.7
resolve
96 4.4

Surface Forms

mettle singular
mettls plural

Etymology

The word mettle comes from an old spelling of metal, which once meant the 'quality' or 'what something is made of'. So to have mettle is to show what you're 'made of', meaning courage and strong spirit.