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
-
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 gray puppy repeatedly makes silent barking motions until a high-pitched squeak finally escapes her mouth.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
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In the video, the woman, who is wrapped in a gray blanket, is being questioned in a holding facility in Pullman, Washington, in connection with an unrelated incident.—
Kayna Whitworth,
ABC News,
19 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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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
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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
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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The grim discovery has shaken the Wenatchee community and set off a sweeping manhunt for Decker, who has not been seen since.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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The Creag is a short walk away from the Highlands clubhouse and draws its inspiration, as does much of the resort, from the rugged Scottish highlands.—
Mike Fore,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
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Trent Frederic is another player who brings a rugged style to the game and can play all three forward positions.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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