steep 1 of 3

Definition of steepnext

steep

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verb

steep

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word steep different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of steep are abrupt, precipitous, and sheer. While all these words mean "having an incline approaching the perpendicular," steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult.

a steep hill
a steep dive

When would abrupt be a good substitute for steep?

In some situations, the words abrupt and steep are roughly equivalent. However, abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level.

a beach with an abrupt drop-off

When might precipitous be a better fit than steep?

While in some cases nearly identical to steep, precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical.

the river winds through a precipitous gorge

When is it sensible to use sheer instead of steep?

Although the words sheer and steep have much in common, sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse.

sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers

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 steep
Adjective
The building, however, was already in steep decline. Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026 Rock and mud slides are possible near steep terrain. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
It's typically dried rather than eaten raw, with a brittle shell and stringy pulp that's traditionally cracked open and steeped to make a mildly sweet, herbal tea. Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026 Others were involved in an anticapitalist movement called Reclaim the Streets, or were steeping themselves in countercultural histories. Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
The vibe is chill, the lift lines are short, and the terrain is surprisingly diverse, with everything from wide-open cruisers to intense, off-piste steeps and trees. Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 17 Nov. 2025 Consider the common scenarios faced by everyday riders: steep inclines that drain battery life, crowded streets where stability and braking precision are crucial, or long daily commutes that require both comfort and endurance. Matt Emma, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for steep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steep
Adjective
  • The mansions are in the Bio Barray neighborhood, part of which has been built illegally in the mountainous Western Area Peninsula National Park, which Sierra Leone's government has proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    ED DAVEY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026
  • In the cooler fall and winter months, natural food sources decline, and snow covers mountainous regions like Tahoe.
    Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • It was ruled a Flagrant 1 excessive foul, but not a dangerous Flagrant 2 foul, so Jamerson was not ejected from the game.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Taking vitamin D alongside a multivitamin is generally safe for most people, but understanding dosing, absorption, and potential risks is important to avoid excessive intake.
    Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Your energetic 5th house hosts the meeting of Mercury and Pluto, suffusing your hobbies with cosmic delight.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Reid seemed to truly believe, despite the partisanship that suffused the column, that the Senate had been badly damaged.
    Jon Ralston, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • To keep your drinkware in proper shape for celebrations and wine nights, try soaking them in vinegar instead.
    Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Every room is understated and done in grays, white marbles, and earth tones—plus splashes of blue representing Lake Michigan—and comes with one of four types of soaking tubs, all deliciously inviting.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • From Llombards, the path heads southwest along the cliffs, passing some of the island’s prettiest and most secluded calas, including Figuereta and Cala Marmols.
    Paul Richardson, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
  • The arch was formed by centuries of harsh wind and high seas grinding away at the Calcarenite stone cliffs of Italy’s Puglia region, on the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea.
    Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • These boats have the vertical launch system (VLS), which could be used to fire new high-speed anti-ship missiles displayed at China’s Victory Day parade in Beijing last fall.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Thus, the robot can adapt to new situations without losing key properties of the movement, such as keeping a bottle vertical so as not to spill the contents, as per the press release.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Massie’s comments shined a new spotlight on Les Wexner, the former owner of Victoria’s Secret, who is one of the most mysterious figures in Epstein’s orbit – a key player in helping the financier’s rise to extreme wealth, whose motivations and ties to Epstein have long been a source of speculation.
    Curt Devine, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
  • That means potential payoffs but also extreme danger.
    James Ward, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The study also noted that many of these companies guaranteed some news outlets would cover the press releases, and were essentially flooding the space with garbage crypto information dressed up to look like reliable news.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
  • More than 4,000 tips flooded law enforcement agencies in the 24 hours after the images were broadcast.
    Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Steep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steep. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on steep

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