STEEP Synonyms: 207 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

steep 1 of 3

adjective

ˈstēp

Definition of steep

as in mountainous

having an incline approaching the perpendicular a very steep rock face that is nearly impossible to climb

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in excessive

going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount we would like to hire him, but his salary demands are just too steep

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

steep

2 of 3

verb

as in to suffuse

to cause (as a person) to become filled or saturated with a certain quality or principle grew up steeped in the ways of his ancestors a town steeped in history

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to soak

to wet thoroughly with liquid chew fresh ginger that has been steeped in hot water to aid digestion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

steep

3 of 3

noun

as in cliff

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

However, the proposal faces a steep procedural obstacle in the Senate, where most legislation needs 60 votes to invoke cloture and overcome a filibuster. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026 The Devil’s Backbone is named as such because of its shape, including segments where hikers walk a narrow stretch with steep drop-offs on both sides. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Verb

An album steeped so deeply in her roots was the perfect introduction for her new audience. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026 Grief expertise is attributed to those people that are really deeply steeped and trained in grief, so those might be therapists, those might be thanatologists who study death, and dying, and bereavement. — Mikaela Cohen, Fortune, 14 July 2026

Noun

Plus, the compliance infrastructure required makes the cost of entry steep. — Sulolit Raj Mukherjee, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2026 Lusti and Pierrel must be hyper-fixated on precision, because every single body movement on a rock face that steep comes with consequences. — Frederick Dreier, Outside, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for steep

Recent Examples of Synonyms for steep

Adjective

That could bring some elevated humidity and a small chance of thunderstorms and cloud coverage in mountainous areas, but not enough to significantly lower temperatures across the region.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Poppe described seeing one of PG&E’s workers being lowered by rope from a helicopter onto a transmission tower in mountainous California.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of mountainous

Adjective

Higher energy density is particularly useful for drones because batteries must provide enough power and endurance without adding excessive weight.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
Through this, scientists want to gain clarity over the legal responsibilities of launching states to preserve near-Earth space from orbital clutter and the dark night sky from excessive light pollution.

— Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of excessive

Verb

The two large bathrooms had plenty of closet space and a deep soaking tub (there’s a third small powder room off the living area).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
With heavy rain soaking the region on Thursday, the National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for several rivers, including the Missouri River and locations along it.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of soak

Adjective

Move items off the counter and onto vertical surfaces, cabinet interiors, pantry doors and refrigerator sides so work zones stay clear.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Rails, pegboards and magnetic strips open up vertical surfaces most people ignore.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of vertical

Adjective

Wizman said yields at these levels are not themselves unusual, particularly because they are not being accompanied by extreme inflation expectations or an aggressively tightening Fed.

— Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
Bluetoothing is known to occur in settings of extreme poverty as a cheaper way of getting high.

— David Cox, NPR, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of extreme

Verb

Images of hospitals overwhelmed with the sick and dying flooded our consciousness.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
While flooding itself will not be expected across a wide area, the opportunity for strong flood events does look elevated for the state starting in December.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of flood

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steely

steep

steeped

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“Steep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steep. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of steep

adjective

verb

noun

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