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 grey
of the color gray
steely eyes that are the color of a stormy sky
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of steely
The film also distinguishes itself from earlier noir paradigms by choosing a main character whose teen idol-like appearance differed from the steely and strong-jawed features of those characters that previously dominated the genre.
—
Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025
Sometimes, a slow heartbeat and a steely resolve are even bigger advantages.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Painting broadly on a still relatively fresh canvas, Boone expresses an endearing willingness to grow his craft but also a steely reverence to painfully obvious points of reference.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 20 June 2025
What comes through is the steely resolve that all top producers have – and need – to hustle film and TV projects into production, but also a desire to be completely connected to the creative.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025
Sometimes, a slow heartbeat and a steely resolve are even bigger advantages.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Painting broadly on a still relatively fresh canvas, Boone expresses an endearing willingness to grow his craft but also a steely reverence to painfully obvious points of reference.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 20 June 2025
What comes through is the steely resolve that all top producers have – and need – to hustle film and TV projects into production, but also a desire to be completely connected to the creative.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steely
Adjective
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With a deep, gruff voice and animus toward humanity, McCarthy was an unusual dance-music star when Nitzer Ebb started notching chart hits.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
12 June 2025
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Two months ago, the world lost a gruff and burly guitar player named Al Barile.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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The attacker then jumped into a grey BMW, which sped off down the street.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
11 July 2025
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They’re housed in the National Library of Wales, a hulking grey monolith that hovers upon a hilltop overlooking the town, Mount Olympus-style.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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As the bow and stern sections tore free from one another, the ship’s contents were ejected and rained down across the ocean floor, dispersing everything from luggage and dinnerware to engine parts and personal belongings.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
6 July 2025
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The affable Carroll was the polar opposite of the stern hard-driving Parcells.—
Tribune Content Agency,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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The first stop is the entryway, featuring a gray stone coffee table and the softest curved furniture, making the atmosphere warm and inviting.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 July 2025
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Powell arrived to The Wimbledon Championships in a light gray Brunello Cucinelli suit in a subtle woven plaid.—
Elizabeth Grace Coyne,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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With so many players in the game, the competition is simultaneously fierce and toothless.—
Todd Fisher,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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To put that drop into context, Gates was the fifth richest person alive on July 3, highlighting the fierce (and sometimes erratic) battle to make it to the top 10.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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There’s silver dust in the cells, and some boron and phosphorus, critical additives to increase conductivity and to provide the necessary environment for photons from sunlight to knock electrons loose from the silicon.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
9 July 2025
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Other finance and tech players like CrossCountry Consulting, Dual Entry, and Remote have also joined as silver partners.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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Robert Shapiro, the first member and initial chair of OJ Simpson's defense team, gave a grim prediction regarding Diddy's potential sentence.—
Lauryn Overhultz , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
8 July 2025
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As of a grim Monday morning tally, 41 people still were missing.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Outdoor Enthusiasts: The RAV4’s available all wheel drive and rugged design, particularly in Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, attract those who enjoy outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and both water and snow skiing.—
Tony Leopardo,
Mercury News,
13 July 2025
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Android users get an app and handy features, too, making these more versatile and more rugged than other Apple buds.—
Adrienne So,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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