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 grey
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
Russell played the steely zealot, and Rhys the warm one, full of doubts.
—
Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The steely face is adorned with a guilloché date subdial at 12 o’clock, a mesmerizing tourbillon (Calibre 978) at 6 o’clock, and pink gold markers and hands.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
Then there’s the steely courage of Betty Ong, an American Airlines flight attendant on Flight 11, the first plane to crash into the World Trade Center on 9/11.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The Chicago Athletic Association offers an elevated members club experience without the steely pretension.
—Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The steely face is adorned with a guilloché date subdial at 12 o’clock, a mesmerizing tourbillon (Calibre 978) at 6 o’clock, and pink gold markers and hands.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
Then there’s the steely courage of Betty Ong, an American Airlines flight attendant on Flight 11, the first plane to crash into the World Trade Center on 9/11.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The Chicago Athletic Association offers an elevated members club experience without the steely pretension.
—Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steely
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Several Dolphins who have been on the team for more than two years said Wednesday that McDaniel was more stern in meetings this week.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The culling of federal agencies has provoked stern warnings from nonprofit groups and other organizations that work to protect public lands and the agencies that manage them.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
If the black isn’t to your taste, the slippers are also available in gray and brown.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Brandon Miller exited with left shoulder soreness and didn’t return, leaving a gray cloud over the Hornets’ scrappy performance against a team that’s been their arch nemesis.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Children’s Health Defense, the organization Kennedy built into one of the fiercest foes of childhood vaccines, took interest in the Idaho bill early on.—
Audrey Dutton,
ProPublica,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Two-time All Pro linebacker James Harrison led a fierce Pittsburgh Steelers defense for years, winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Hadid's looks for the night included a lace lingerie piece dripping in silver fringe and a red hot satin bra with a matching garter and underwear, along with a floor-sweeping robe.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Grande took the stage and channeled her character Glinda, wearing a silver pleated dress from McQueen’s fall 2005 collection.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Cunning and a team of 46 other researchers published a grim study in the journal Science on Thursday that assesses the damage caused by a historic 2023 marine heat wave in Florida.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Directed by Oscar winner Bille August, The Count of Monte Cristo stars Claflin as Edmond Dantès, a young sailor who was falsely accused of treason and is imprisoned without trial in the Château d’If, a grim island fortress off Marseille, France.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX Trail Running Shoes While most hiking shoes have a more rugged, utilitarian look, these Hoka hikers lend more towards stylish.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Hokkaido is known for its rugged natural beauty, cold winters and thriving agricultural and seafood industries.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Rutgers, meanwhile, has lost three in a row and now faces the unenviable task of attempting to strip down one of the most intimidating offenses in the nation.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Technology is as straightforward and as non-intimidating as any EV.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share