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
Essentially unchecked by members of his own party and appearing more confident than ever, the president imposed steep tariffs on allies and adversaries alike. Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025 Trump argues steep tariffs will bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States from places like China as well as Mexico and Canada. Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
After steeping, strain the mixture, discarding the solids into a bowl. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025 Mix grains of cobalt, mined in Labrador, with potash, quarried in Saskatchewan, and whisks of beaver tail, all of it steeped over sharp, jagged Yukon ice. Scott Simon, NPR, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
French Press: The French press is a pot with that steeps the coffee grounds before separating it with a plunger. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2025 What To Know The company made a strong Wall Street debut but shares in the company experienced sharp rises and steep falls over the last year—from peaks of around $66 to lows of about $12. Often, changes appeared to correlate with significant events involving Trump himself. Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for steep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steep
Adjective
  • The two nuclear-armed rivals have fought three wars over the mountainous territory that is divided by a de-facto border called the Line of Control.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
  • So Cordero set out to make a video game about it from the perspective of a child in Quito, Ecuador’s mountainous capital.
    Lewis Gordon, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, excessive rainfall from the weekend storms has led to river and creek flooding in areas south and east of the Kansas City metro.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Listen to this article The Aurora City Council at a meeting Tuesday is set to consider changes to the parking ordinance that police say will help with the excessive number of commercial vehicles being parked on city roads.
    R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Japanese Breakfast's Michelle Zauner embraces melancholy in new album The music of the indie rock band Japanese Breakfast is suffused with longing.
    NPR Staff, NPR, 22 Mar. 2025
  • His dialogue was abundant and suffused with paradox and irony.
    Elaine Woo, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The 646 square foot Lodge Suites now feature four poster beds, a cream and white color scheme with accent wool throws and pillows, spacious bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and heated wood floors along with glass doors leading to a terrace on the river.
    Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The Rooms My penthouse suite had a full kitchen and dining area, a large living room, a bathroom with a walk-in shower and a soaking tub, and an oversized balcony with a daybed and bistro set.
    Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Instead, while City have not merely dipped but fallen off a cliff, Arsenal are set to finish a distant second to a team in Liverpool who have signed just one player all season — Federico Chiesa, who has barely played.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The transition to adulthood —college, work, relationships — can feel like falling off a cliff.
    Alice Kuo and Emily Hotez, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Maintenance cleans include dusting, vacuuming, and mopping, cleaning of horizontal surfaces, and spot-cleaning of vertical surfaces such as walls and cabinet fronts.
    Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Adorn a retaining wall with a vertical planter Hang vibrant bucket planters to dress up an ordinary retaining wall.
    Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The incident seemed to be an example of hazing or, if not, some sort of extreme prank, Fitzpatrick said.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 1 May 2025
  • The price of coffee beans has already been rising due to crop losses from the extreme weather events of a changing climate, as well as geopolitical uncertainty.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Christians and Muslims flooded social media with tributes, remembering his vocal condemnation of violence and consistent empathy for Gaza's civilians.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Special forces and ambulances flooded the scene, and workers in nearby stores were ordered to shelter in place.
    Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Steep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steep. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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