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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2
as in grey
of the color gray
steely eyes that are the color of a stormy sky
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of steely
The conversation between him and David Carradine’s Bill, however, once again taps into that same steely, slow-and-low vibe that Marvin parlayed into an entire career, and was the he-man crown Madsen should have been the heir to.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2025
Like Nielsen, Emmy winner Robert Stack became a master of deadpan late in his career, famously spoofing his own steely demeanor as Captain Rex Kramer in Airplane!.
—Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 2 July 2025
That journey includes a flirtation with steely race engineer Kate McKenna (Condon, 42) and push-back from brash teammate Joshua Pearce (Idris, 33).
—Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 27 June 2025
The film also distinguishes itself from earlier noir paradigms by choosing a main character whose teen idol-like appearance differed from the steely and strong-jawed features of those characters that previously dominated the genre.
—Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2025
Like Nielsen, Emmy winner Robert Stack became a master of deadpan late in his career, famously spoofing his own steely demeanor as Captain Rex Kramer in Airplane!.
—Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 2 July 2025
That journey includes a flirtation with steely race engineer Kate McKenna (Condon, 42) and push-back from brash teammate Joshua Pearce (Idris, 33).
—Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 27 June 2025
The film also distinguishes itself from earlier noir paradigms by choosing a main character whose teen idol-like appearance differed from the steely and strong-jawed features of those characters that previously dominated the genre.
—Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steely
Adjective
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Audiences can often sense the corporate overlords’ gruff hands pushing these previously distinct programs together.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
10 July 2025
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Their gruff cheers mismatched the high-pitched hum of the buggies.—
William Liang,
Los Angeles Times,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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The attacker then jumped into a grey BMW, which sped off down the street.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
11 July 2025
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They’re housed in the National Library of Wales, a hulking grey monolith that hovers upon a hilltop overlooking the town, Mount Olympus-style.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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However, the slow collision of Ray’s two worlds unfolds with the stern casualness of two business acquaintances meeting for dinner.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
18 July 2025
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Bill Pogue’s family and friends knew him as a thoughtful, deeply sensitive man, despite his reputation as a gruff, stern, wildlife officer.—
Jim Zumbo,
Outdoor Life,
17 July 2025
Adjective
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The first stop is the entryway, featuring a gray stone coffee table and the softest curved furniture, making the atmosphere warm and inviting.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 July 2025
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Powell arrived to The Wimbledon Championships in a light gray Brunello Cucinelli suit in a subtle woven plaid.—
Elizabeth Grace Coyne,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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The two have one of the fiercest rivals in college football known as the Iron Bowl.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
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He’s also ruled out the Chinese mainland due to fierce competition, entrenched EV incumbents, and a power grid so advanced that ultra-fast charging is widely available—making battery swapping largely unnecessary.—
Clay Chandler,
Fortune,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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The pool also made a splash when Angelina Jolie took a plunge in it wearing a silver sequined Randolph Duke gown after winning a Golden Globe for Gia in 1999.—
Jennifer Kester,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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The second look in the photoshoot was more casual — Jenner was styled in a navy blue polo shirt with a silver zip-up collar layered with a red strapless top.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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While McArthur was being interviewed by investigators, search teams made a grim discovery: a portion of a human skull was found sticking out of the ground, encased in concrete and potting soil.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
19 July 2025
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The grim task, using strategies including hand-sifting and specific diving techniques, is expected to drag on for months.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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Outdoor Enthusiasts: The RAV4’s available all wheel drive and rugged design, particularly in Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, attract those who enjoy outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and both water and snow skiing.—
Tony Leopardo,
Mercury News,
13 July 2025
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Android users get an app and handy features, too, making these more versatile and more rugged than other Apple buds.—
Adrienne So,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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