mettle

noun

met·​tle ˈme-tᵊl How to pronounce mettle (audio)
1
a
: vigor and strength of spirit or temperament (see temperament sense 1a)
a girl of … mettle who lost a baby brother to leukemiaBill Zehme
b
: staying quality : stamina
equipment that proved its mettle
proved his mettle in battle
2
: quality of temperament or disposition
gentlemen of brave mettleWilliam Shakespeare
mettled adjective
Phrases
on one's mettle
: aroused to do one's best

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Is mettle Connected to Metal?

Originally, mettle was simply a variant spelling of the word metal (which dates to at least the 13th century), and it was used in all of the same senses as its metallic relative. Over time, however, mettle came to be used mainly in figurative senses referring to the quality of someone's character. It eventually became a distinct English word in its own right, losing its literal sense altogether. Metal remained a term primarily used for those hard, shiny substances such as steel or iron, but it also acquired a figurative use. Today, both words can mean "vigor and strength of spirit or temperament," but only metal is used of metallic substances.

Choose the Right Synonym for mettle

courage, mettle, spirit, resolution, tenacity mean mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship.

courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

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

resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

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

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

Examples of mettle in a Sentence

The competition will test her mettle.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Jackson and Allen have been circling around each other all season; in the MVP race, in the playoff hunt, in wider debates about rivalry, quarterbacking flair and big-game mettle. Oskar Garcia, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025 The Commanders, in fact, are appearing in Saturday's matchup in large part because of their mettle on do-or-die downs. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025 For one of the few times, Roberts called a clubhouse meeting to reiterate his confidence in their veteran mettle. Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024 But there’s also no shame going with the sidekick, who proved his mettle after 10 games out by not missing a single defensive beat. Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for mettle 

Word History

Etymology

alteration of metal

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of mettle was in 1581

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Dictionary Entries Near mettle

Cite this Entry

“Mettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mettle. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

mettle

noun
met·​tle ˈmet-ᵊl How to pronounce mettle (audio)
1
: quality of temperament or disposition
2
: strength of spirit
3
: ability to keep going : staying power

More from Merriam-Webster on mettle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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