1
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
2
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
1
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
2
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
as in cliff
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of steep
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
Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
Chalkbeat reported that since 2018, enrollment at the 20 schools in the program has dropped by 15%, with six of them losing more than a quarter of their students — a far steeper decline than the district as a whole.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, 19 July 2025
To make a convincing base for a virgin margarita, break the cardinal rules of a good cuppa by steeping the tea leaves too long and giving them a good hard squeeze at the end.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 clinic, which was founded by members of the South Florida Muslim community, has seen a steep increase in patients in recent days, said board member Khalid Mirza, and would be indirectly impacted by budget cuts to neighboring nonprofits.
—Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
Chalkbeat reported that since 2018, enrollment at the 20 schools in the program has dropped by 15%, with six of them losing more than a quarter of their students — a far steeper decline than the district as a whole.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
New tariff rates on top beef importers like Mexico, Canada and Brazil will take effect on Aug. 1, raising the countries’ already steep import taxes to 30%, 35% and 50%, respectively.
—Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, 19 July 2025
To make a convincing base for a virgin margarita, break the cardinal rules of a good cuppa by steeping the tea leaves too long and giving them a good hard squeeze at the end.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for steep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steep
Adjective
-
Dry and hot conditions, with temperatures climbing above 100 degrees, in mountainous terrain make containing the blaze difficult for thousands of firefighters responding to the area, according to Ruggiero.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
9 Aug. 2025
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The Canyon Fire is burning in a mountainous area north of Los Angeles and has been spreading toward the community of Castaic in L.A. County.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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One position scrutinized in a new state audit of excessive spending by former University of Florida President Ben Sasse is the long-distance position created for former Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn.—
Vivian Jones,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
-
From hyperloops to solar roofs to trillion-dollar savings from federal budget cuts by DOGE, Musk has developed a reputation for excessive boasts and telling outright whoppers.—
Alan Ohnsman,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
An international cult favorite, Lee is revered for the philosophical nerve that suffuses his rigorously inventive melodramas, which variously pick apart the complexities of Korean society.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Advertisement The answering note to its prevailing ironic treatment of Sir Walter is of course the melancholy and hint of regret that suffuse much of the novel’s tone.—
Brandon Taylor,
Time,
17 July 2025
Verb
-
Each bedroom has a beautiful bathroom and an adjoining private soaking tub.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Guests return for the sprawling bedrooms, marble soaking tubs, and exceptional old-school service (shoe shining, unpacking and proper concierge know-how).—
Katharine Sohn,
Architectural Digest,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Through a gate, past an old bathhouse — once one of Hungary’s first concrete structures — a narrow alley leads to an unmarked doorway in the cliff.—
Jennifer Walker,
CNN Money,
18 Aug. 2025
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Acknowledging how unpopular that decision may prove to be, some moderate Republicans are already pushing for a bipartisan deal to avoid the cliff.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The intense surface heating will bring strong vertical mixing to depths extending over 15-17 thousand feet --highest Thursday and Friday.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Aug. 2025
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Career growth inside companies still follows a narrow script—progress often defined by vertical movement alone.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Scientists say the findings shed new light on the potential for life to exist in extreme environments using the chemical compound methane instead of sunlight.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The costs of extreme weather, supply chain disruptions, and falling labor productivity are all visible on the horizon, with ample academic research to back them up.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Hurricane Erin’s surge, captured flooding the Buxton neighborhood and surrounding coastal communities, came as evacuations and swim bans were issued in the area for safety measures.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
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Little to None - Little to no potential impacts from flooding rain.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steep. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.
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