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 gray
of the color gray
steely eyes that are the color of a stormy sky
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of steely
These boats sail largely undetected with only the top of the craft visible — often painted, researchers say, in steely blues and grays to blend in with the stormy Atlantic waves and evade surveillance efforts.
—
Simon Owen , Greg Palkot, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Her hair, styled by her go-to hairstylist Tokyo Stylez, was deeply parted to one side for a peekaboo effect and to show off the icy blonde roots, which transitioned from a steely baby blue to a dark denim at the ends.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 8 Dec. 2025
Like Frank, she was introduced early in the season as an accomplished, steely professional who gets things done.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Dec. 2025
Colman Domingo, who won an Emmy for his role as Rue’s sponsor Ali, is similarly set to return, as is Martha Kelly in her role as steely drug dealer Laurie.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Simon Owen , Greg Palkot, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Her hair, styled by her go-to hairstylist Tokyo Stylez, was deeply parted to one side for a peekaboo effect and to show off the icy blonde roots, which transitioned from a steely baby blue to a dark denim at the ends.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 8 Dec. 2025
Like Frank, she was introduced early in the season as an accomplished, steely professional who gets things done.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Dec. 2025
Colman Domingo, who won an Emmy for his role as Rue’s sponsor Ali, is similarly set to return, as is Martha Kelly in her role as steely drug dealer Laurie.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steely
Adjective
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Approved by The Boss himself, the live-music and storytelling show finds Azaria slipping into his best Springsteen guise for a night of gruff tales and greatest hits.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
24 Dec. 2025
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The gory skit ends with the gruff older man rushing through the door to announce he’s made amends with his son, only to have his head sliced off by the flying chainsaw.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
21 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Tangible goals include achieving zero plastic use in all guest rooms and implementing innovative systems like ice storage for energy efficiency and grey water water reuse for conservation.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Another agent, wearing a grey jacket, can be seen from some camera angles reaching into the scrum of other officers and retrieving a weapon that seems to match the firearm the DHS says Pretti possessed.—
Thomas Bordeaux,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In the video, Caleb said wearing a stern facial expression.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
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Serious, even stern, Douglas was highly principled, fiercely uncompromising and personally brave.—
John T. Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The first agent gets into a silver Chevy Tahoe driven by someone else and leaves.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
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After the incident, the robbers got into a silver sedan with at least one additional person inside who was driving, police said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Competition remains fierce in the Charlotte region to grab a piece of the lucrative grocery market share.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
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But long before the fire destroyed a broad section of the San Gabriel Valley community, a small but fierce army of people devoted themselves to others who were without a home.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Job prospects for 2026 are looking grim in many ways.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Tempted but reluctant to fork out the money, Hana runs some tests on the drug, and finds — in what one hopes is just a grim horror-film twist — that its composition comes down pretty much entirely to human ashes.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Excavators working at a rugged eastern Oregon ranch recently uncovered evidence of Chinese immigrants working as cowboys — a role rarely associated with the American West.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Inspired by Montana’s rugged landscape, Grant Achatz of Michelin two-star Alinea in Chicago chose Big Sky for his restaurant’s 20th-anniversary world tour (Tokyo, Beverly Hills, Brooklyn, and Miami were also stops).—
Amy Tara Koch,
Robb Report,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Because a microneedle infusion device can feel more intimidating than a simple serum, Mon Lumière prioritizes education and reassurance.—
William Jones
January 29,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
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Closet organization is often seen as an intimidating, hours-long task that can feel redundant once the mess piles back up again.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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