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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of steely
The sluggish living makes sense for steely behemoths that live comfortably into their 200s and possible to 400 or more.
—
Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
Oettinger stopped 40 shots in another steely performance in his home state.
—CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
But his Hamlet needs a stalwart supporting cast with whom to spar, and Ahmed tangles beautifully with Shakespeare veteran Timothy Spall, who plays Laertes’ father and family adviser Polonius, and Morfydd Clark as a steely but vulnerable Ophelia.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Most of the cover is given over to a steely portrait of Skeets’s uncle Benson James, who was photographed by Richard Avedon for his series In the American West in 1979, then stabbed to death a year later.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for steely
Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
Oettinger stopped 40 shots in another steely performance in his home state.
—CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
But his Hamlet needs a stalwart supporting cast with whom to spar, and Ahmed tangles beautifully with Shakespeare veteran Timothy Spall, who plays Laertes’ father and family adviser Polonius, and Morfydd Clark as a steely but vulnerable Ophelia.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Most of the cover is given over to a steely portrait of Skeets’s uncle Benson James, who was photographed by Richard Avedon for his series In the American West in 1979, then stabbed to death a year later.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for steely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steely
Adjective
-
Platner, a gruff 41-year-old Marine Corps veteran, is trying to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins with a platform of economic populism, universal health care, labor protections, and anti-interventionism.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
-
With his gruff voice, beard and sweatshirts-instead-of-suits, Platner cuts the figure of a blue-collar Mainer.—
Caroline McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Gray-to-White Gradient Form a subtle gradient by choosing a soft white upper cabinet shade, a pale gray stone backsplash, and a more medium gray lower cabinet color.—
Lauren Jones,
The Spruce,
6 June 2026
-
The couple began by painting the trim in the living room Farrow & Ball’s Card Room Green, a light gray-green Elizabeth says was comfortably within her wheelhouse.—
Ella Field,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
Firth is chilling, pushing his stern, fiercely intelligent demeanor in increasingly sinister directions and bringing nuance and gravity to the lengths Scanlon will go to fulfill his mandate, whatever the cost.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2026
-
These adults are headed by Kevin Earley, who early on makes for a starchy rather than stern Captain.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
At La Valencia, where the kitchen was far from the dining room, waiters would transport dishes under silver cloches to keep them warm while creating an air of sophistication.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
-
The witness recounted that seconds after the crash, the driver of the SUV jumped out and ran across the street to get into a silver car, which then drove off.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
What all present did expect was a fierce contest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
Bagnulo noted that the competition will be fierce.—
Andrew McNicol,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
The two of them sit watching the four of us with grim fascination, as if at a public hearing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
In the early days of the Iran war, analysts held the grim prediction that crude oil prices would top $200 a barrel, nearly triple pre-war prices.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Even the most rugged campers still need their phones for maps, weather updates, and emergencies.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
-
Mammoth Overland just unveiled an ultra-rugged, off-road trailer called the Xtinction Level Escape.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
As a designer taking over a venerable house, previews with her were both a bit intimidating but always heartwarming.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
11 June 2026
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Appearing in the three episodes leading up to the season 6 finale, Willis played Paul Stevens, the intimidating father of Ross' student girlfriend.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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