1
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
pinned them with a steely gaze and demanded to know what they were doing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grey
of the color gray
steely eyes that are the color of a stormy sky
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of steely
Paige Bueckers, Sarah Strong and the nation’s top offense on the road against the steely reigning champions.
—
Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
For a time, my mom and aunt’s tastes led me to believe that the best of the genre featured hyper-competent, successful, somewhat steely women, like FBI agent Gracie Hart or environmental lawyer Lucy Kelson, being slowly broken down by the promise of true and lasting love.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
President Donald Trump similarly made waves for his official headshot earlier this month — his steely glare, immortalized by his chief photographer Daniel Torok, was a far cry from the ear-to-grin captured in 2017.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 28 Jan. 2025
Thatcher gets to explore a few different directions for Iris over the course of Companion, including numbing dullness, canny super-expertise, and steely aggression on par with the Terminator.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
For a time, my mom and aunt’s tastes led me to believe that the best of the genre featured hyper-competent, successful, somewhat steely women, like FBI agent Gracie Hart or environmental lawyer Lucy Kelson, being slowly broken down by the promise of true and lasting love.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
President Donald Trump similarly made waves for his official headshot earlier this month — his steely glare, immortalized by his chief photographer Daniel Torok, was a far cry from the ear-to-grin captured in 2017.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 28 Jan. 2025
Thatcher gets to explore a few different directions for Iris over the course of Companion, including numbing dullness, canny super-expertise, and steely aggression on par with the Terminator.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steely
Adjective
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The gruff but beloved Hackman was among the most accomplished actors of his generation, appearing as villains, heroes and antiheroes in dozens of dramas, comedies and action films from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.—
Susan Montoya Bryan,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
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Ford’s actually relatively locked-in as the gruff but supportive Colonel Graff training the impressionable Ender (Asa Butterfield), who has to save the universe as all lads in these types of films tend to do.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The gunman, described as Hispanic and wearing a grey hoodie, dark pants and white shoes, ran off down E. Houston St. No arrests have been made.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2025
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The pair were seen out hand in hand in Milan earlier in the day too, with Steinfeld in an oversized grey trench coat and Allen in a black sweatshirt.—
Staff Author,
People.com,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Once again, her stern words earned tepid applause from a crowd that honestly just wanted to go two hours without thinking about humanity's downward trajectory into civil, moral, and environmental oblivion.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
24 Feb. 2025
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But Sunday’s election could mark its sternest test yet.—
Mark Sappenfield,
The Christian Science Monitor,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The color palette presented deep hues of gray, burgundy, chocolate, and classic navy, in addition to the brand’s signature ivory, accents of yellow, orange, and mint green in knitwear.—
WWD,
WWD,
3 Mar. 2025
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The tips were a deep, inky black shade, which slowly faded into charcoal gray, pale gray, and a smoky white at the base.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The game between the fierce rivals was halted after 52 minutes due to fans throwing flares onto the pitch.—
Adam Crafton,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
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After the goalless draw in one of soccer’s fiercest rivalries, the Portuguese manager was yet again outspoken in his press conference.—
Ben Church,
CNN,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Treasures include antique oil paintings on old easels, silver teapots, bookcases, four-post beds, Persian rugs, fainting sofas, rattan porch chairs, and a smattering of estate accessories, from jewelry to furs, hats to small accouterments.—
Jenny Adams,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2025
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The silver beaded detailing on her frock was striking.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In recent months, Israel has brightened a grim geopolitical landscape by battering Iran and its proxies.—
HAL BRANDS,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
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Previous assessments already painted a grim picture, with a third of sharks, rays, and chimaeras classified as threatened with extinction.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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From the rugged Cliffs of Moher to the lively streets of Dublin, the country offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural charm.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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Midcentury Western To blend funky midcentury style with raw and rugged western style, focus on what the two have in common.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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