Antonyms for mettle

Grammar : Noun

Spell : met-l

Phonetic Transcription : ˈmɛt l

Definition of mettle

Origin : 1580s, variant spelling of metal, both forms used interchangeably (by Shakespeare and others) in the literal sense and in the figurative one of "stuff of which a person is made" (1550s) until the spellings and senses diverged early 18c.

noun boldness, strength of character

Example sentences :

They'll be on their mettle, the both of 'em, more 'specially Diablo.
Extract from : « Thoroughbreds » by W. A. Fraser

The assistant was on his mettle, and either failed or triumphed.
Extract from : « Heroes of the Telegraph » by J. Munro

This set me on my mettle, and I worked hard and with some success.
Extract from : « Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood » by George MacDonald

Yet you have heart and mettle, I believe, else you would not be here.'
Extract from : « Micah Clarke » by Arthur Conan Doyle

We think that it is a mistake to put our artists on their mettle in this way.
Extract from : « Punch or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, December 9, 1914 » by Various

The old man, despite this unexpected fall, was just beginning to show his mettle.
Extract from : « The Shadow of a Crime » by Hall Caine

Equally true is it that he tests the mettle of those with him day by day.
Extract from : « Hellenica » by Xenophon

Now it was six to six and he knew the mettle of the three recruits that had joined the miners.
Extract from : « A Waif of the Mountains » by Edward S. Ellis

It put the British major on his mettle to keep pace with him.
Extract from : « Camping with President Roosevelt » by John Burroughs

I had now an opportunity of seeing what kind of mettle my friends were made of.
Extract from : « Hair Breadth Escapes » by T. S. Arthur

Synonyms for mettle

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019