Meanings
adjectivesteely-nerved (comparative more steely-nerved, superlative most steely-nerved)
comparative more steely-nerved · superlative most steely-nerved
- idiomaticHaving a hard, strong, and determined mindset, with very steady nerves; great patience and courage.
Synonyms: steely-eyed, steely-spined, diehard, hardcore, tough as nails
Synonyms & antonyms
adjectiveHaving a hard, strong, and determined mindset, with very steady nerves; great patience and courage.
Origin
People who were always brave and collected in the face are said to have "nerves of steel".
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
APA
steely-nerved. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/steely-nerved
MLA
“steely-nerved.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/steely-nerved. Accessed November 4, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “steely-nerved,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/steely-nerved.
Source: steely-nerved on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.