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
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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
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
But those soft outfits covered a steely reporter whose eyes never missed anything and whose ears heard every whisper of affairs, scandals and the latest social gossip.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 13 June 2025
The band filtered out of the dressing room; Sly came last, picking up his knees like a drum majorette and grinning a steely grin.
—Timothy Crouse, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
Wayne trounced his competition with punishing punchlines and steely wordplay.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 June 2025
But those soft outfits covered a steely reporter whose eyes never missed anything and whose ears heard every whisper of affairs, scandals and the latest social gossip.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 13 June 2025
The band filtered out of the dressing room; Sly came last, picking up his knees like a drum majorette and grinning a steely grin.
—Timothy Crouse, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
Wayne trounced his competition with punishing punchlines and steely wordplay.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steely
Adjective
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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
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One fit pairs a loose blue button-down, top buttons undone, with slouchy denim shorts and a soft grey trench coat.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Cars from all ten teams were lined up on a grey carpet under LED billboards and visitors crowded onto bleachers to watch gawk at the stars, the takeover of an iconic American location (albeit one filled with European tourists) a metaphor for the sport’s hopes.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Born in Philadelphia in October 1888, Breen shuttled between jobs in public relations, newspaper journalism, and the U.S. consular service, yet the connecting thread was always his deep, proud, stern Irish Catholicism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 June 2025
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However, strikes between the two nations appeared to continue—leading to a stern rebuke from the president on Tuesday morning.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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The watch is complemented with a black and gray bi-material rubber and gray textile strap with the Luna Rossa stripe as well as a second black rubber strap.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Its neutral gray pattern lends itself to both modern and classic interiors, and the synthetic latex backing, low pile, and flatweave design are perfect for high-trafficked areas like the entryway and family room.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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The Supreme Court cases that set off the fiercest conflicts among the justices aren’t always the hot-button ones.—
Dan McLaughlin,
National Review,
25 June 2025
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And competition is fierce: Waymo has elite tech, Amazon’s Zoox is quietly advancing, and China’s Baidu is pushing fast in its home market.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Matching trousers and loafers emblazoned with hundreds of silver gemstones were an integral piece of this look too.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
26 June 2025
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To match its maritime origins, it was incised with designs of cavorting Tritons and surmounted with a silver Neptune riding a hippocampus—a lot of gaudy ornament around a big brown husk.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Despite the grim topic, the report offers encouraging news: Steady progress has been made in reducing child labor globally.—
Fatma Tanis,
NPR,
26 June 2025
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Gatwa’s first as the Doctor. Compare Season 15 to Jodie Whittaker’s last outing as the Time Lord, and things get grimmer.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Loro Piana’s Wish Onde Soft also boasts exceptional softness and hairiness, while the new Wish Rice part of the same family is a fancy yarn defined by a rugged, tactile effect ensured by chain-like structure.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
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Pictured above is Indonesia’s mountainous Halmahera rainforest, featuring rugged topography shaped by outpourings from the numerous volcanoes that pockmark the region.—
Emma R. Hasson,
Scientific American,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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