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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gray
of the color gray
steely eyes that are the color of a stormy sky
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of steely
Of the three, McGuinness was the most steely and direct.
—
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2025
Her identity is confined to her attitude, her steely spikes of hair a warning not to get too close.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2025
The late-spring marine layer casts a steely light through the palms in the garden of the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, where athleisurely couples nurse oat milk lattes.
—Rob Haskell, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
Captain Maya Le Tissier was at the heart of their steely backline, which midfielders Hinata Miyazawa and Julia Zigiotti Olme expertly screened.
—Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2025
Her identity is confined to her attitude, her steely spikes of hair a warning not to get too close.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2025
The late-spring marine layer casts a steely light through the palms in the garden of the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, where athleisurely couples nurse oat milk lattes.
—Rob Haskell, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
Captain Maya Le Tissier was at the heart of their steely backline, which midfielders Hinata Miyazawa and Julia Zigiotti Olme expertly screened.
—Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steely
Adjective
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But encounters with the island’s residents, including with his gruff but warm-hearted landlady (played by German screen legend Hanna Schygulla), gradually alter his outlook.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
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Panday plays a convincingly gruff tortured artist alongside Padda’s struggling ingenue, and most of the screen time is devoted to their pairing instead of introducing tertiary excess.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Animals have inspired many of the mom’s Halloween costumes over the years, like when the Good American founder and True wore matching gray kitty unitards to match their actual pet cat in 2022.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
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Several buyers have mentioned buying more than one color of these comfy pants, which are available in heather gray, black, heather navy, and heather green.—
Destinee Scott,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Its 42-foot Torpedo RS is built with a more dramatic hourglass profile, enhanced by stylish stern winglets that deliver sharper turns and a drier ride in swells.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
26 Oct. 2025
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China conducted military exercises in Serbia in July despite stern warnings from the European Union, and Belgrade provides Beijing with a security foothold in Europe.—
Chris Massaro,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The swan-neck tap, with its two silver wings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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Curated by Spanish designers Antonio Burillo and Juan Carlos Fernández, the blue dress was adorned with the silver Order of Oman collar to commemorate the sultan and prime minister of Oman’s visit.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Elizabeth’s determination not to settle the succession gave rise to fierce rivalry between the claimants to the English throne, among them Mary, Queen of Scots and her son James VI; James’s cousin Arbella Stuart; Lady Katherine Grey and her descendants; and Henry Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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Yet plans to expand America’s lab-monkey stockpile have been met with fierce opposition.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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That’s a grim prospect—but then, in Venezuela, yesterday’s grimmest prospects become tomorrow’s headlines with dreadful regularity.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
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Controversy follows Cheney While Cheney's disposition was never particularly sunny, critics assailed the vice president as a relentlessly grim figure.—
Don Gonyea,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX Trail Running Shoes While most hiking shoes have a more rugged, utilitarian look, these Hoka hikers lend more towards stylish.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
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Hokkaido is known for its rugged natural beauty, cold winters and thriving agricultural and seafood industries.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rutgers, meanwhile, has lost three in a row and now faces the unenviable task of attempting to strip down one of the most intimidating offenses in the nation.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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Technology is as straightforward and as non-intimidating as any EV.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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