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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 This includes the steely Doctor Mann (Mimi Rogers), who may or may not have secrets of her own. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 11 July 2026 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 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
  • The surge in gray divorces is also often driven by women – who have long faced restrictive gender norms in conservative Asian societies, as well as legal, financial, and social barriers to seeking divorce.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
  • The thick gray clouds hanging over Carter-Finley Stadium muted the July sun.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 July 2026
Definition of gray
Adjective
  • An animalistic sense of intimidation coils beneath each gesture as Bracken offers a remarkable follow-up to her breakout role as a stern clairvoyant.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
  • The Latvian champions represent the sternest test of Wrexham Women’s recent history, particularly given the tight turnaround from Wednesday evening’s match and the hours of analysis and preparation put in by Sugarman and her staff.
    — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of stern
Adjective
  • Silver not at an attractive entry point… yet UBS is skeptical of the potential for a silver rebound and has cautioned against investors starting to build exposure to the metal.
    — Mike Sheen, CNBC, 23 July 2026
  • Rivian installs silver brake calipers on its dual-motor electric vehicles, while tri-motor variants get yellow.
    — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 22 July 2026
Definition of silver
Adjective
  • This video shows firefighters battling fierce flames ripping through vegetation, propelled, in part, by strong gusts of wind.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
  • Liverpool were trailing 2-1 early in the second half when the midfielder chested the ball down just outside the box and unleashed a fierce strike past Melker Ellborg.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • Labor and delivery units are closing across the country at an average of more than two per month, while the United States holds the grim distinction of the highest maternal mortality rate among all high-income nations.
    — Mara Evans, STAT, 27 July 2026
  • Bill Gould and Mike Bordin both gave grim assessments in interviews last April.
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026
Definition of grim
Adjective
  • Commercials showed off sleek and imposing vehicles with four-wheel drive going off-roading through rugged terrain, adding some aspiration to a Tuesday night baseball practice pick-up .
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
  • With the pole still lodged in his body, Cifaldi and his friends began the more than 10-mile trek back down the mountain, navigating rugged terrain including snowfields and boulder fields.
    — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026
Definition of rugged
Adjective
  • The design may also feel less intimidating than a rigid robotic frame.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026
  • But in psychologically safe workplaces, feedback is continuous rather than saved for one big intimidating meeting.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of intimidating

Browse Nearby Words

steels
steely
steep
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on steely

Nglish: Translation of steely for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All