steep 1 of 3

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
Phoenix is a springtime magnet for outdoors lovers as well, and many visitors gravitate to the spectacular hike up the steep inclines and rocky surfaces of Camelback Mountain’s Cholla Trail. Cindy Barks, AFAR Media, 27 Feb. 2025 Mountain bikers love Nelson for its distinct type of trails, nostalgically referred to as classic BC-style (Read: highly technical singletrack with long vertical descents full of airs, bridges, steeps, roots, and rock slabs). Jayme Moye, Outside Online, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
The full effect of steep new tariffs hasn’t been felt by shoppers yet, according to Jack Kleinhenz, chief economist at the National Retail Federation. Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 11 July 2025 A lot of teams will be motivated to try on a steep finale like this, and there are a lot of specialists on the peloton in this terrain. Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Noun
Among the group is a pair of Black twins, whose professor mentions Mengele’s fixation with identical siblings, which both portends fleeting dramatic moments in the rest of the film, and also steeps this post-mortem study in dramatic irony. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 May 2025 The property offers a variety of immersive outdoor and farming experiences for guests to steep themselves in the surrounding landscape including truffle hunting, beekeeping and picnicking in the property’s olive grove. Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for steep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steep
Adjective
  • Surfers have the mountainous waves of Mavericks Beach near Half Moon Bay.
    James Rainey Follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
  • The first step is a boot camp in a mountainous ski resort, where Karolina is teased by the other girls and gets so much preferential treatment from Vitek that Lucie, enraged, locks her outside in the snow and nearly kills her in the process.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • The weather service predicts that parts of Maryland remain at risk for excessive rainfall and the potential for flash floods.
    Chevall Pryce, Baltimore Sun, 14 July 2025
  • Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez took to X on Saturday to say his office was closely monitoring the situation and advised use excessive caution in the affected areas.
    Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • The news people are announcing on repeat a mantra suffused with an English lilt in their mouths, that the fires haven’t gorged themselves on the rainforests like this in over half a century.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2025
  • What makes the series so delightful is Osman’s wicked sense of humor, and the empathy suffused throughout.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Rooms are spacious and feature modern Thai decor, floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies, deep soaking tubs, and rainfall showers.
    Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2025
  • Two upstairs en suite bedrooms include the primary suite, which features a tiled balcony offering up a picturesque view of the Griffith Observatory, dual walk-in closets, and a bath flaunting a marble soaking tub notched into a windowed and arched alcove.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • The early morning temple grounds are green and quiet, stacks of stone carvings lean against each other inside tall alcoves carved out of the cliff by centuries of water.
    Rebecca Chace July 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
  • Looking Forward Merck’s acquisition strategy reflects management’s understanding of the Keytruda cliff and their determination to address it.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • If your small space is flanked by strong vertical fences or walls, the easiest solution is to cover the surface with plants.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2025
  • While some programs featuring influencers and vertical excerpts of TV shows and movies are covered by union agreements, other projects don’t have those protections.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • While many farmers lean on a relentless optimism to get through the uncertainty of relying on the weather for a living, extreme weather disasters like catastrophic floods, droughts and wildfires can take a toll.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 July 2025
  • Both companies show extreme volatility in bear markets, but Palantir's recovery has been more robust, possibly owing to its growing profitability and improving operational metrics.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Previous storms have flooded Mason’s building, damaging appliances and furniture, but this time she was mostly spared.
    William Tong, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • Thousands of comments flooded the platform owned by Trump.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Steep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steep. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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