stony

adjective

\ ˈstō-nē

variants: or less commonly stoney

stonier; stoniest

Definition of stony

1 : abounding in or having the nature of stone : rocky

2a : insensitive to pity or human feeling : obdurate

b : manifesting no movement or reaction : dumb, expressionless

c : fearfully gripping : petrifying

3 archaic : consisting of or made of stones

4 British : stone broke

Other Words from stony Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about stony

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of stony in a Sentence

She gave him a stony stare. the judge's stony demeanor didn't raise the defendant's hopes for a more lenient sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Leonard—6 feet, 7 inches tall and 230 pounds, with wide hands and a stony expression—took two hard dribbles to the rim, jump-stopped, and rose for a layup, but the Warriors center Kevon Looney arrived to deliver a hard foul. — Robert O'connell, The Atlantic, "The Toronto Raptors Were Ready," 14 June 2019 Nearly sublime in their stony grandeur, and so overwhelming that attempting to eradicate the problem in its entirety is actually not the wisest move. — Sarah Todd, Quartz, "A giant boulder in Colorado offers a philosophical lesson for all of us," 8 June 2019 For instance, chondrites are stony meteorites that scientists think may be remnants of ancient planetary formation. — National Geographic, "Rugged 'mountains' taller than Everest lurk deep inside Earth," 25 Mar. 2019 Rounding out the top echelon was the 2015 Ribbon Ridge Cascadia from Brick House, lively and stony, with flavors of herbs and lemon. — Eric Asimov, New York Times, "Chardonnay, the Oregon Way," 14 June 2018 Right behind it was the Blauschiefer trocken from Stein in the Mosel, likewise lively, juicy and stony and just $19, albeit for a 750-milliliter bottle. — Eric Asimov, New York Times, "2016 Dry German Rieslings: Graceful, Resonant, Delicious," 3 May 2018 Their beehive tents were scattered across a stony valley. — Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, "Going Off-Grid in Namibia," 21 Dec. 2018 Clarke did her thing and the HBO exec stayed stony-faced. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Emilia Clarke Did the Robot During One of Her 'Game of Thrones' Auditions," 27 Oct. 2018 From Princess Beatrice helping her younger sister with her wedding dress, to Princess Eugenie's mother and father watching the couple depart, these shots are sure to melt even the stoniest of hearts. — Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, "Princess Eugenie's Family Waving Her Off Before Her Second Reception Is Too Cute," 12 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stony.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.