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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Lilian laughed, but Dr. Fenton remained stern, only nodding at Lilian’s understanding.—
Yiyun Li,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
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Waves of anti-Tesla and Elon Musk protests ripple throughout Bay Area Related Articles With few options, Bay Area Democrats in Congress oppose Trump with stern letters, town halls and protest California’s first zero-emission car mandates are coming.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
The Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
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
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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
Adjective
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The bill has been met with both fierce opposition and staunch support from students, professors and community members across the state.—
Amanda McCard,
Hartford Courant,
8 Mar. 2025
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With Zverev looking to cement his dominance, Alcaraz aiming for a repeat title, and Fritz eager to defend home soil, the competition will be fierce from day one.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 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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The grim anniversary comes with Ukraine facing great uncertainty about its future after President Donald Trump pivoted toward Russia and US officials insisted that Europe can no longer rely on Washington for its defense.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
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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