steep 1 of 3

Definition of steepnext

steep

2 of 3

verb

steep

3 of 3

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word steep different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of steep are abrupt, precipitous, and sheer. While all these words mean "having an incline approaching the perpendicular," steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult.

a steep hill
a steep dive

When would abrupt be a good substitute for steep?

In some situations, the words abrupt and steep are roughly equivalent. However, abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level.

a beach with an abrupt drop-off

When might precipitous be a better fit than steep?

While in some cases nearly identical to steep, precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical.

the river winds through a precipitous gorge

When is it sensible to use sheer instead of steep?

Although the words sheer and steep have much in common, sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse.

sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of steep
Adjective
The steep drop in the housing market and the resulting downfall of the mortgage industry led to a credit crisis that brought the economy into a recession. Barbara Hagenbaugh, USA Today, 22 June 2026 More than a quarter of the total audience splurged for premium large-format screenings that can carry steeper price tags. Alex Harring, CNBC, 22 June 2026
Verb
Jennifer Cassel, another attorney with Earthjustice, said water near coal ash becomes thick with pollution, like a tea that is steeped for too long. ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026 Allow to steep for 1 hour without letting the oil burn. ABC News, 27 May 2026
Noun
The story follows struggling creatives navigating debt, eviction threats and a precarious gig economy, visualized in Riley’s inventive style — from looming piles of eviction notices to characters literally struggling up and down steep inclines that mirror the instability of their lives. Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026 Big Sky, Montana This year is shaping up to be a banner one for Big Sky, a 5,850-acre resort (America’s second largest behind Park City) awash with steeps, trees, bumps, and a gnarly triple black diamond run called Big Couloir, which drops more than 1,400 feet with a sustained pitch of 50 degrees. Amy Tara Koch, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for steep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steep
Adjective
  • Winter brings peak ski season at Bachelor and the more mountainous crowds.
    Sierra Vandervort, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2026
  • These many watering holes are reflective of the Lone Star state's varied geographic regions, from bald cypress swamps to mountainous desert lakes.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • Christensen suggests the state should instead focus on stripping back environmental regulations that make brush clearance and fire prevention costly, which would ensure state firefighters are not working excessive overtime and the state budget is not being stretched beyond its means.
    Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026
  • Last September, the group published a 336-page report affirming that ABA should be included as a basic benefit under TRICARE, without the excessive administrative barriers that have disrupted treatment for children in military families.
    Jason Kane, NBC news, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • The standout is a grand, otherworldly picture, devoid of human and animal life but suffused with strange light, and the majesty and menace of colossal ice in moving water.
    Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026
  • The experiment might sound sentimental, but Chakraborty, the production’s secret weapon, maintains a scientific restraint, albeit one suffused with maternal anguish.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • If your shower head is removable, take it off and soak it in a bowl of vinegar instead.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 June 2026
  • Out back, a secluded courtyard and soaking pool await.
    Sierra Vandervort, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • An operation began using a California Highway Patrol helicopter and the Fire Department's cliff rescue and heavy rescue units, the post said.
    Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 23 June 2026
  • For outdoor enthusiasts, the system now features excursions like the trek up the Eiðiskollur cliffs towering above the northern village of Eiði.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • In October 2025 Anthropic launched Claude for Life Sciences, the first time that the company released a product for a specific vertical market.
    Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026
  • According to reporting by Defence Blog, the V-BAT, officially designated the MQ-35A by the US military, is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone designed to operate from ships, expeditionary bases, and other locations where conventional aircraft would struggle to launch or recover.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • The extreme conditions are driven by a heat dome, a high pressure weather system that can trap heat for days, even weeks.
    Taylor Ward, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
  • That day in Redding, temperatures surged to 109 degrees, triggering an extreme heat warning for the area.
    Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Craciun urged folks to flood the committee and Petrie-Norris’ office with calls and letters demanding action.
    Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 21 June 2026
  • People flooded the comment section with offers to help.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Steep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steep. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on steep

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster