steeling
Hardening one's resolve
Steeling is the act of mentally preparing oneself for something difficult or unpleasant.
When you steel yourself, you summon resolve and harden your nerves: Steeling herself for the confrontation, she knocked on his door.
The image comes from making something as hard as steel.
Steeling can also refer to the process of sharpening knives with a steel rod.
Making more robust
- strengtheningIncreasing power or solidity
- bolsteringStrengthening or supporting
- bracingRefreshingly keen or stimulating
- buttressingSupporting from the side
armoring · toughening · hardening · solidifying · preparing · readying · girding · nerving
Firmness of purpose
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
perseverance · steadfastness · conviction · commitment · dedication · discipline · courage · bravery
Controlled heating and cooling
- hardeningBecoming less soft
- annealingHeat-softening of metals
- quenchingRapid cooling process
- forgingShaping heated metal; faking documents
blacksmith · metalwork · alloying · carbon · carburizing · case-hardening · crucible · smelting
reinforcing
Making more robust
- strengtheningIncreasing power or solidity
- bolsteringStrengthening or supporting
- bracingRefreshingly keen or stimulating
buttressing · armoring · toughening · hardening · solidifying · preparing · readying · girding · nerving · emboldening
determination
Firmness of purpose
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
fortitude · perseverance · steadfastness · conviction · commitment · dedication · discipline · courage · bravery · backbone
tempering
Controlled heating and cooling
forging · blacksmith · metalwork · alloying · carbon · carburizing · case-hardening · crucible · smelting · iron
- hardeninghardening, stiffening, solidification, solidifying, rigidifying
- reinforcingreinforcing, strengthening, supporting, bolstering, shoring
steelingunnerving
Causing loss of composure
weakening · undermining · destabilizing · demoralizing · psyching out
steelingsoftening
Becoming less firm
opening up · letting go · relaxing · yielding · surrendering
steel, stainless, steely, high-speed steel, steeled, steels, stainless steel, steelmaker, carbon steel