steely
adjective
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Definition of steely
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Synonyms & Antonyms for steely
Synonyms
austere, dour, fierce, flinty, forbidding, grim, gruff, intimidating, lowering (also louring), rough, rugged, severe, stark, stern, ungentle
Antonyms
benign, benignant, gentle, mild, nonintimidating, tender
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Examples of steely in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Female candidates are also battered by professional consultants who claim to understand voters, and who tell them to be strong but approachable, warm but steely, mom but dad, young and bouncy but wise and grave. — Peggy Noonan, WSJ, "The Odd Way We Announce for President Now," 17 Jan. 2019 Having taken command at the agrarian Hilltop outpost of the Alexandria forces, our steely pregnant farmgirl widow is showing her mettle. — Steve Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "What you need to know as 'Walking Dead' returns to finish Season 8," 23 Feb. 2018 Taking the look into still higher voltage territory were moody bordeaux pouts and smoked-out steely gazes drawn on by makeup artist Pat McGrath, while other models sported little more camouflage than gleaming, immaculately maintained skin. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "A Guide to Easy French Girl Glamour—Straight From the Chloé Runway," 27 Sep. 2018 Beyond looking breathtakingly gorgeous, Moore finds her steely reserve thanks to a resolute sense of political purpose. — Alex Frank, Vogue, "This Breakout Star Dedicates Her Red Carpet Win to the Trans Community at the Golden Globes," 7 Jan. 2019 She was guarded with a steely poise that left room for speculation and little else. — Koko Ntuen, Teen Vogue, "Aretha Franklin Taught Me to Respect Myself and Demand Respect from the World," 17 Aug. 2018 Tyler Perry as Colin Powell Photo: Annapurna Pictures Others in the cast are enjoyable too: Steve Carell as Donald Rumsfeld; Sam Rockwell as George W. Bush and Amy Adams as a shrewd and steely Lynne Cheney. — Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, "‘Vice’ Review: Comedy Without Gravity," 22 Dec. 2018 Paola is tall and slender, with a soft, sweet voice and steely blue eyes. — Kyre Chenven, Condé Nast Traveler, "For Sardinia’s Wild Side, Head to Sulcis," 12 Oct. 2018 Growing up in Hutchinson, a small town about 60 miles west of Minneapolis, Whalen became a wizard on the hardwood with a quick step to the basket, a smooth jump shot and a steely gaze that always meant business on the court. — Dave Campbell, The Seattle Times, "Lynx star, Minnesota legend: Whalen to retire from WNBA," 13 Aug. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'steely.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for steely
steely
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of steely
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steely
adjective
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