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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of steely
Of the three, McGuinness was the most steely and direct.
—
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2025
Her identity is confined to her attitude, her steely spikes of hair a warning not to get too close.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2025
The late-spring marine layer casts a steely light through the palms in the garden of the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, where athleisurely couples nurse oat milk lattes.
—Rob Haskell, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
Captain Maya Le Tissier was at the heart of their steely backline, which midfielders Hinata Miyazawa and Julia Zigiotti Olme expertly screened.
—Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2025
Her identity is confined to her attitude, her steely spikes of hair a warning not to get too close.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2025
The late-spring marine layer casts a steely light through the palms in the garden of the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, where athleisurely couples nurse oat milk lattes.
—Rob Haskell, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
Captain Maya Le Tissier was at the heart of their steely backline, which midfielders Hinata Miyazawa and Julia Zigiotti Olme expertly screened.
—Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steely
Adjective
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But encounters with the island’s residents, including with his gruff but warm-hearted landlady (played by German screen legend Hanna Schygulla), gradually alter his outlook.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
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Panday plays a convincingly gruff tortured artist alongside Padda’s struggling ingenue, and most of the screen time is devoted to their pairing instead of introducing tertiary excess.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Winter showcases the exfoliating bark, which peels away to reveal strips of gray, orange, and brick red.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
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The coat is available in five colors, including dark brown, oat, caramel, gray, and black, as well as sizes ranging from XS to XL.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
On Academy Street, taken over by Dominicans, the Fourth translated into a jubilant handful of families and neighbors on each stretch of sidewalk, with speakers, folding chairs, and beer bottles at the foot of stern buildings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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The boat can easily accommodate a dozen guests, thanks to the abundant seating, including a rear-facing lounge at the stern and bow lounge.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The swan-neck tap, with its two silver wings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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Curated by Spanish designers Antonio Burillo and Juan Carlos Fernández, the blue dress was adorned with the silver Order of Oman collar to commemorate the sultan and prime minister of Oman’s visit.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Elizabeth’s determination not to settle the succession gave rise to fierce rivalry between the claimants to the English throne, among them Mary, Queen of Scots and her son James VI; James’s cousin Arbella Stuart; Lady Katherine Grey and her descendants; and Henry Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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Yet plans to expand America’s lab-monkey stockpile have been met with fierce opposition.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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That’s a grim prospect—but then, in Venezuela, yesterday’s grimmest prospects become tomorrow’s headlines with dreadful regularity.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
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Controversy follows Cheney While Cheney's disposition was never particularly sunny, critics assailed the vice president as a relentlessly grim figure.—
Don Gonyea,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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And, importantly, that now-familiar reliable, rugged push.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
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For instance, it is equipped with a four-wheel independent drive system, providing maximum mobility across complex and rugged terrain.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Kingpin is one of its offerings this year, an intimidating V-8 monster that makes over 800 horsepower and is blacked out.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
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The podcast is meant to do some of the bedtime planning for parents, taking an intimidating task off their plate.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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