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 gray
of the color gray
steely eyes that are the color of a stormy sky
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of steely
Faut has a steely confidence and a quiet authority.
—
Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
High Point had no miracle to counter Acuff’s steely greatness.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2026
That story concerns Kay Scarpetta, a forensic pathologist of the usual steely determination.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
Cordell Walker, a steely-eyed former Marine who dispensed Lone Star justice with roundhouse kicks and a decidedly old-school moral code.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for steely
Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
High Point had no miracle to counter Acuff’s steely greatness.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2026
That story concerns Kay Scarpetta, a forensic pathologist of the usual steely determination.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
Cordell Walker, a steely-eyed former Marine who dispensed Lone Star justice with roundhouse kicks and a decidedly old-school moral code.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for steely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steely
Adjective
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McVay raised some eyebrows Thursday night with his gruff demeanor following the pick of Simpson.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
As previously announced, Burr plays a gruff American record-store owner who convinces a ragtag gang of teenage misfits that their best, and possibly only, chance to lose their virginity before graduating high school is at a massive open-air mass for the visiting Pope.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Across the street, through a thick tangle of forest, the Khodymchuks’ building stood tall and gray in the snow.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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Families flock to the Cape for mini-golfing, traipsing around sand dunes, comparing ice cream stands, gobbling up lobster rolls, spotting whales, and simply admiring the gray cedar shake houses adorned with colorful buoys.—
Kara Williams,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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An Ada County judge let a Boise woman who stole jewelry from hospice patients off without prison time — but not without a stern warning and alternative punishment.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Apr. 2026
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When addressing Chasing Horse, Peterson took on a stern tone and admonished the actor and his attorney, Craig Mueller, for denying the charges and downplaying evidence of assault.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The ingredient list is simple, but don't even think about skipping the crushed ice and the classic silver julep cup.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
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The Loons squandered James Rodriguez’s great display of playmaking and set-piece taking in his first MLS start by failing to convert on the opportunities the Colombian superstar provided on silver platters.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Along the way, there have been fast times, big doping busts and fierce corporate competition for the fastest humans in history.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Pre-marketing fight lands in court The fiercest pushback to Compass’s marketing strategy came from Zillow, the country’s largest home-search platform.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Both are grim readings for a hotel chain playing a volume game.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Canary Wharf, formerly grim docks and working-class housing blocks in eastern London, has been transformed into a mammoth global commercial center.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Fjord country is a rugged aquatic realm where, satisfyingly, ferries are essential to getting around.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
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Natural beauty also shines along the rugged coastline and in the sparkling turquoise waters.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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If a flip-flop is your go-to, consider these for a less intimidating pick in keeping with your personal style.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Apr. 2026
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From the scholarly and enlightened to the tough and intimidating, people of all walks of life and cultural backgrounds love a good, thick face of hair.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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