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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of steely
Chow Yun-fat stars as a steely, toothpick-chewing detective who seeks vengeance after gun smugglers kill his partner.
—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
His glare was still there, steely and intentional.
—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
28 May 2026
Operational secrecy was preserved with steely discipline, and Israel was utterly deceived and taken by surprise.
—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
To browse her collections is to be confronted with the full spectrum of colors offered by the gem, from vibrant gold and soft lavender, to steely grey and rich plum.
—
Kate Matthams,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for steely
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
His glare was still there, steely and intentional.
—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
28 May 2026
Operational secrecy was preserved with steely discipline, and Israel was utterly deceived and taken by surprise.
—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
To browse her collections is to be confronted with the full spectrum of colors offered by the gem, from vibrant gold and soft lavender, to steely grey and rich plum.
—
Kate Matthams,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for steely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steely
Adjective
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Abraham Lincoln furiously scribbled in Springfield on June 27, 1858, firing off a gruff note to the editor-in-chief of the Chicago Press & Tribune, then in business for only 11 years.
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But Rose bet that a less gruff voice, ultimately Mike Brown’s, was required to win it all.
Adjective
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For an olive or medium complexion, a neutral contour shade (neither cool nor warm) will avoid an ashy gray hue.
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She was found face down in her bedroom, wearing a grey tank top and nude from the waist down.
Adjective
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Judges have to throw the book at those arrested to teach them a stern lesson.
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However, for students graduating right now, Hammer can't really summon up anything stern to say.
Adjective
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The silver hair that Jackman sports throughout the film is quite distinctive.
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The man driving the silver car, age unspecified, was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition.
Adjective
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The 2023 arrest of her then-10-year-old cousin for urinating in public brought fierce condemnation.
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For a party that prides itself on diversity, the clashes have exacerbated fierce debates over identity politics and long-standing rifts between progressives and moderates.
Adjective
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The tragedy marks the first deaths for the US Wildland Fire Service, a grim milestone for the new federal agency, which launched in January to coordinate firefighting efforts on public land.
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While that’s a grim statistic, change is possible.
Adjective
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In the midst of the rugged match, Sweden lost one of its top players to a non-contact injury.
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The search for Gracie the giraffe, missing in Texas, hit its two-week mark on June 25 as the manager of her ranch is continuing to scour rugged terrain from the ground and sky.
Adjective
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The caps, made from real bear skin, are a distinctive part of the military uniform, designed to make troops appear taller and more intimidating.
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The one witness everyone in the courtroom remembers was Watkins, an intimidating presence with the build of an NFL defensive tackle.
Cite this Entry
“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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