steep 1 of 3

Definition of steepnext

steep

2 of 3

verb

steep

3 of 3

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
In it, two female hikers are seen stranded along an extremely steep rock formation at the top of a cliff towering over the Northern California beach. Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 9 Jan. 2026 Badlands Snow Park in Hudson, Wisconsin, opened in 1970, boasts some of the steepest, tallest, and longest runs in the region. Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
Be careful not to spill your tea before it’s fully steeped. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 28 Nov. 2025 Tea Forte’s premium teas come in self-standing tea bags that are perfect for steeping. Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2025
Noun
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 Millions of people ski in Canada each year, drawn to the massive sprawl of Whistler Blackcomb, the steeps of Revelstoke, or the views from Lake Louise Ski Resort. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for steep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steep
Adjective
  • The event would put Denver in the national spotlight, giving people from across the country a look at the city’s mountainous skyline and revamped downtown.
    Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
  • Superior is a town of around 2,400 located in a mountainous area a little more than 55 miles east of Phoenix.
    Phil Helsel, NBC news, 3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Diane Nygaard, an Oceanside resident and representative of the nonprofit Preserve Calavera, said the developer’s request for 14 waivers of city development standards is excessive.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Shorter days and excessive time indoors?
    Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Rafiq suspected that the anxiety suffusing the market had made any pickpockets unlikely to be scoping out potential shoppers.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The film draws power from the subtle specificity; Børsum’s voice, low and knowing, comes suffused with an ineffable meaning.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Permeable pavers allow rainwater to soak into the ground, reducing flood risk, while offering an upscale look.
    Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Nestle the sandwiches vertically in a pan to maximize crispy golden ridges, and soak overnight in custard.
    Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Construction fell off a cliff after the housing bubble burst over a decade ago and never really recovered.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
  • In Zumaia, Ermita de San Telmo, an iconic stop on the Camino de Santiago, is a 16th-century church perched on the rocky Flysch cliffs made famous in Game of Thrones.
    Michelle Arellano Martin, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The company presented the AIR ONE, an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Space-savers will include pull-out vertical pantries that slide into narrow spaces, toe-kick drawers that utilize the area beneath your cabinets and corner carousel units that make those awkward spaces accessible.
    Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • An extreme cold watch is issued when dangerously cold air temperatures or wind chill values are possible.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Here, sea level rise is accelerating at some of the most extreme rates on Earth, while hurricanes increasingly are swirling ashore with an unprecedented ferociousness.
    Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The post was flooded with support from both fans and celebrities.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Beijing will keep trying to export its way out, flooding global markets—an approach that most trading partners may absorb this year but won’t tolerate forever.
    Ian Bremmer, Time, 6 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Steep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steep. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on steep

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!