steelier; steeliest
1
: very strong and determined often in a cold or unfriendly way
a thief with steely nerves
He had a steely determination to succeed.
She gave him a steely gaze.
2
: resembling steel especially in color
a sky filled with steely gray clouds
the judge's steely blue eyes
Cite this Entry
“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/steely. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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