1
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
pinned them with a steely gaze and demanded to know what they were doing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grey
of the color gray
steely eyes that are the color of a stormy sky
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 steely
Freeman’s the straight man here and her performance combines both quiet influence and steely strength.
—
Carole Horst, Variety, 1 June 2025
Yet underpinning their friendship is a steely competitiveness.
—Gregg Evans, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Prom Queen' changes the game What's a better day: being on a submarine with a bunch of steely sailors or leading a marching band in an office space?
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 May 2025
The call that eventually came with the Carolina Panthers — the team his legacy is so closely intertwined?
Muhsin was neither steely nor composed, according to his smiling son.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Carole Horst, Variety, 1 June 2025
Yet underpinning their friendship is a steely competitiveness.
—Gregg Evans, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Prom Queen' changes the game What's a better day: being on a submarine with a bunch of steely sailors or leading a marching band in an office space?
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 May 2025
The call that eventually came with the Carolina Panthers — the team his legacy is so closely intertwined?
Muhsin was neither steely nor composed, according to his smiling son.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steely
Adjective
-
Eric Bauman, a gruff and tireless political operative who led two of California’s most powerful Democratic organizations before resigning amid misconduct allegations, died Monday.—
Laura J. Nelson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
-
Cross-examination from the defense’s gruff Xavier Donaldson will continue first thing Tuesday when the trial picks up again.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
The overall matt silver finish contrasts with the dark grey main enclosure.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
-
Navigating the rise of A.I. and its use in entertainment has consisted of grey areas and controversies, but now, major Hollywood players are taking official steps towards legal regulation.—
Regina Cho,
VIBE.com,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
It’s submerged 11 to 15 feet deep, with its stern facing the shore.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
11 June 2025
-
Tonight: Explore! TAURUS (April 20-May 20) ★★★ Avoid arguments with others today, which might arise with Mercury in your House of Communications at odds with stern Saturn.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Fort Erie bursts with American tourists in the summertime, but today is empty on a gray May morning.—
Stephen Rodrick,
Rolling Stone,
19 June 2025
-
The gray puppy repeatedly makes silent barking motions until a high-pitched squeak finally escapes her mouth.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
Meta’s big bet on Wang fits into CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s plans to bolster his company’s AI efforts amid fierce competition from OpenAI and Google-parent Alphabet.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
13 June 2025
-
Sanders’s Senate counterpart, Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), is a fierce Trump critic.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
For silver storage, visit this piece about cleaning and maintaining your silver pieces.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
14 June 2025
-
Hadid, 30, kept it chic but casual in a white tee with silver pants, a light wash denim jacket, chain necklace and sneakers, with her blonde hair slicked back in a bun.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
The two men shook hands, and Mamdani slipped away looking grim.—
Eric Lach,
New Yorker,
13 June 2025
-
Appearances aren’t deceptive; the portents are grim.—
Christian Schneider,
National Review,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Creag is a short walk away from the Highlands clubhouse and draws its inspiration, as does much of the resort, from the rugged Scottish highlands.—
Mike Fore,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
Trent Frederic is another player who brings a rugged style to the game and can play all three forward positions.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share