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steady

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noun

steady

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective steady differ from other similar words?

The words equable and even are common synonyms of steady. While all three words mean "not varying throughout a course or extent," steady implies lack of fluctuation or interruption of movement.

steady progress

When could equable be used to replace steady?

The meanings of equable and steady largely overlap; however, equable implies lack of extremes or of sudden sharp changes.

maintain an equable temper

When would even be a good substitute for steady?

While the synonyms even and steady are close in meaning, even suggests a lack of variation in quality or character.

an even distribution

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 steady
Adjective
LeBron is living proof that to the steady goes the race. cleveland, 2 Feb. 2023 Lucid sold other shares to other groups, but the deal kept the PIF's overall investment in Lucid steady, at around 62 percent, according to CNBC. Sebastian Blanco, Car and Driver, 30 Jan. 2023
Noun
Biden believed, not unreasonably, that his experience and temperament had uniquely positioned him to steady the ship. Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025 The feature, designed to steady shaky footage, became a lifeline for people with Parkinson’s. Bill Schiffmiller, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
While Washington and Silicon Valley have become entranced by the idea of superintelligent AI, or artificial general intelligence, China has focused on steady, iterative progress and widespread adoption, especially in robotics. semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025 Fahey proved too steady, capturing the gold. David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for steady
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steady
Adjective
  • For 19 years, its dedicated staff and steadfast supporters have provided vital care to over 100,000 young people across southern Africa, including young people living with HIV/AIDS and those facing mental health challenges.
    Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
  • After that harrowing hike up the boulder field, the nerve-wracking exposure of our search site has pushed even this steadfast high-drive purebred over threshold.
    Ted Katauskas, Outside, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • One sign of emotional cheating can be frequent contact with another person, according to Kuburic.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
  • The Beers Criteria, a directory of drugs often deemed inadvisable for older adults, recently published recommendations for alternative medications and nonpharmacological treatments for frequent problems.
    Paula Span, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Adams views these interventions not as hand-holding, but as essential adaptations to a new workplace culture, where transparency, constant feedback, and a search for meaning are fundamental.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Another Cuban man had been brought in with acute hemorrhoids; he was eventually taken away for surgery, then immediately returned to detention, despite being in constant pain.
    Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The unchanging routines of the characters also make the world feel sterile.
    Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
  • There’s a traditional idea of the United States as a melting pot, in which immigrant groups assimilate into an unchanging national culture.
    Laura Clawson, JSTOR Daily, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • After all, calculators are more reliable than mental math.
    Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • One route there, of course, is more reliable minutes with offensively gifted players.
    The Athletic NHL, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Investigators believe the suspect also deliberately set fire to the church, which appeared engulfed in flames in photos and videos shared on social media.
    Joe Hernandez, NPR, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Videos on social media and local television stations showed flames and smoke billowing from the church.
    Kristen Jordan Shamus, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In 2012, Netflix and several other members of the consortium proposed a standard to protect streaming video from piracy by letting browsers play video while blocking access to the underlying files.
    Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
  • When activated, the threads tighten and contract, pulling on underlying muscles to guide movement.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • If all that wasn’t enough, 12 gold Arthurian knights have been positioned around the dial, acting as the Lady’s loyal protectors and hour markers.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
  • When Mel learns Richard is now engaged to her estranged college friend Monica (Atkins), the two women, with the help of Mel’s loyal best friend Candy (Brown), set aside old wounds to stand together.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Steady.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steady. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

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