steely

adjective

ˈstē-lē How to pronounce steely (audio)
Definition of steelynext
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

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 Not long after Zack Wheeler had undergone a thrombolysis procedure to remove a blood clot near his right shoulder, his longtime agent tried to crack the pitcher’s steely exterior. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 6 July 2026 Coley and the audience know this isn’t true, but Sonya’s clenched jaw and steely gaze don’t leave room for questions. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 26 June 2026 Yet while the steely intensity of The Americans‘ Elizabeth Jennings marked a juicy departure for Russell, The Diplomat provides audiences the sheer pleasure of seeing how fully the star comes through and makes the part her own. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2026 This popular ornamental grass has soft blue foliage, and in midsummer and fall, its steely blue color is accented by pinkish highlights that transition into attractive winter seed heads. — Cori Sears, The Spruce, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for steely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steely
  1. gruff
  2. gray
  3. stern
  4. silver
  5. fierce
  6. grim
  7. rugged
  8. intimidating
Adjective
  • Matt Damon plays Odysseus as a gruff, practical tactician, rather than an energetically inventive and morally dubious schemer.
    — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
  • The New Zealander drew international acclaim for roles as gruff loners and unhinged villains.
    — Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 13 July 2026
Definition of gruff
Adjective
  • Video from both sides showed large plumes of grey smoke billowing into the sky.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Whether your particular version of gray hair is bright white, a steely salt-and-pepper, or somewhere stunningly in-between, certain cuts bring out the dimension of your shade and the best of your texture.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 17 July 2026
Definition of gray
Adjective
  • In Elliott’s Connecticut, the governor would send a busload of stern but compassionate counselors to protect workers hiding in their office where a gunman lurks.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026
  • Burnham brings a more relaxed style of leadership than the rather stern Starmer, and is regarded as one of the Labour Party’s best communicators.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026
Definition of stern
Adjective
  • Tamra isn’t wearing any pants to show off her Depends and the silver pubes sticking out of them.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • The silver Honda struck the center median, became airborne and crashed head-on into the eastbound Honda, police said.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of silver
Adjective
  • Both yachts will provide fierce competition against Svea, owned by Swedish entrepreneur Niklas Zennström, when the trio meet at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez in late September.
    — Chrissie McClatchie, Robb Report, 18 July 2026
  • Argentina's greatest strengths lie in their infectious unity and fierce mentality.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 July 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • The tropes of the crime novel wear thin, with its grim foreshadowing and prodigious exposition.
    — Niela Orr, Vulture, 20 July 2026
  • But extrapolating from limited empirical studies paints a grim picture.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 July 2026
Definition of grim
Adjective
  • Damon is rugged and haunting in this absolute star turn as Odysseus, who, in a departure from the wilier original, is written as a true-hearted hero whose primary flaw was his unwavering loyalty to his men and his family.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • Authorities say the incident unfolded Thursday afternoon near Gumboot Lake in Siskiyou County, a rugged forested area west of Interstate 5 and near the Oregon border.
    — David Benda, USA Today, 18 July 2026
Definition of rugged
Adjective
  • Epic Inky Stix in Robotic Red make experimenting with red eyeliner feel a whole lot less intimidating.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 20 July 2026
  • But success has not made his career’s work any less intimidating.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 20 July 2026
Definition of intimidating

Browse Nearby Words

steels
steely
steep
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Cite this Entry

“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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