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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of steely
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
After making her small screen debut aged eight, a 14-year-old Knightley entered the big leagues in George Lucas’s sci-fi epic, as a dutiful handmaiden to the pale-faced queen (Natalie Portman), who serves as her steely decoy.
—
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2025
Patricia Arquette is breaking down the shift that occurs with her steely Severance character.
—Dory Jackson, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Whether meeting a bad fate while trying to fix the ship or dying several times in vaccine trials (RIP Mickeys 12 to 16) our hard-luck main man navigates it all while being held in contempt by everyone around him besides his steely girlfriend Nasha (Naomi Ackie).
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
Instead of black, opt for a cool steely blue that possesses depth but evokes a sense of calm.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2025
Patricia Arquette is breaking down the shift that occurs with her steely Severance character.
—Dory Jackson, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Whether meeting a bad fate while trying to fix the ship or dying several times in vaccine trials (RIP Mickeys 12 to 16) our hard-luck main man navigates it all while being held in contempt by everyone around him besides his steely girlfriend Nasha (Naomi Ackie).
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
Instead of black, opt for a cool steely blue that possesses depth but evokes a sense of calm.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steely
Adjective
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This was the puzzle: The Torch and the Treasure A Bridge Puzzle of Strategy, Speed... and Stolen Gold Five daring fantasy thieves—a nimble Elf, a sneaky Goblin, a fleet-footed Satyr, a gruff Dwarf, and a hulking Troll—have just pulled off the heist of the century.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Could this gruff old man playing mahjong in a nondescript hall be a curious gambler on the last boat up the Mekong, laughing in the face of Edward’s existential crisis?—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The bodies of the dead and wounded could be seen lying on the pavement, one of them by a playground, in unverified videos circulating on Telegram, as grey smoke rose into the sky.—
Yuliia Dysa and Tom Balmforth,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
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Rather than reject their advances, Max performs the middle-aged male mating call: jogging in a pair of grey sweatpants with no underwear.—
Claire Franken,
TVLine,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Fifteen games have passed since, cementing Deepdale as one of the sternest away trips in the English Football League.—
Sam Tighe,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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Of course this new yacht features the wide open stern and three-level beach club Bagliettos are known for.—
Bill Springer,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Emme opted for a gray pinstripe suit and plaid tie.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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He was last seen wearing a gray jumpsuit and black and red shoes.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Jackson estate explicitly wanted nothing about Chandler in the film, so fact that the allegations do appear has led to a fierce internal dispute and extensive reshoots, Deadline has confirmed.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
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The sky-high prices caused fierce backlash against Ticketmaster, the country’s biggest ticketing website and concert promoter, from lawmakers who accused the company of acting as a monopoly.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Lawrence was sparkling like a disco ball in a silver sequined high-neck gown.—
Leigh Nordstrom,
Footwear News,
4 Apr. 2025
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In March 2019, Brittany Hill was holding her child, Ja-Miley Jones, and speaking to her boyfriend on North Mason Avenue when a silver sedan pulled up.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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While in jail, Dean bonds with Zoro, a grim and mysterious teenage prisoner serving time for murder.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
3 Apr. 2025
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Americans hold more favorable views of Republicans than Democrats, even as favorability remains grim across the board, according to the latest Economist/YouGov poll.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Average or above skaters who can make plays and contribute to the rugged side of the game.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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This ceramic vase has a rugged, natural matte texture and measures 14.4 inches high, so it’s bound to be a statement piece on your table, mantle, etc.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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