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 On Prison Break, the steely-eyed William Fichtner played relentless FBI agent Alexander Mahone, who is tasked with hunting the main characters down. — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Aug. 2026 Fly’s brand of rap, defined by spare, steely 808 beats and club shoutouts, was wildly popular, spawning nearly 50 mixtape volumes and many more songs since. — Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026 With a steely disposition, Dikha is seen in the videos standing at the very front of a thin boat, executing a repetitive series of dance moves as a line of rowers propel them through a river. — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 The warts-and-all approach gives the film its steely edge and its steady insight. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 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
  • Defying the old-school stereotype of the hard-nosed, gruff newspaper boss, Vaughn often mentored young reporters in a serious but friendly and encouraging manner.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Over three decades in stand-up comedy, Bill Burr has gained a reputation for saying, with gruff conviction and political fire, the thing on everyone’s mind.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of gruff
Adjective
  • Robinson, wearing a light gray suit, uncuffed and unshackled, did not address the court.
    — Michael Ruiz , Jamie Vera, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Attias stood in the hotel lobby, whose design leans toward gray, black, white, earth tones and chrome.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of gray
Adjective
  • Stuttgart has won both of its games but Atletico Madrid will be sterner opposition for the German team.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Below is Jordan — bearded, stern, and wearing a leather jacket — as Det.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of stern
Adjective
  • The party of Ronald Reagan and Sonny Bono and Arnold Schwarzenegger and Fred Thompson and Clint Eastwood now apparently thinks being silver-screen famous is a liability.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
  • They are completed with decorative side straps with silver buckles around the top shaft and across the lower foot.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of silver
Adjective
  • His successor, Bennett, had been among its fiercest critics, raising the prospect that the arrangement might finally end.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The deadly fire erupted Saturday at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, where fierce winds fueled flames that spread beyond the installation and into surrounding rural areas.
    — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • But if Earth did somehow get supremely unlucky, and we were directly hit by a jet even a few thousand light-years away, our situation would be grim.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The political environment appears increasingly favorable for Democrats and grim for Republicans, meaning districts once considered locks for the GOP are suddenly in play.
    — Jamie Ross, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of grim
Adjective
  • Their rugged shape acts as a welcome counterpoint, toughening up outfits with a particular cool girl edge.
    — Nuria Luis, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The headline addition is an external lens attachment that extends the camera's optical reach far beyond what standard rugged handsets offer.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of rugged
Adjective
  • On their own, the clues in the set are brief and uninformative enough to be a little intimidating.
    — Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The Valkyries, meanwhile, have fostered one of the most intimidating home environments at San Francisco’s Chase Center, which the team shares with its sibling NBA franchise, the Golden State Warriors.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 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 Oct. 2026.

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