steely

adjective

ˈstē-lē How to pronounce steely (audio)
steelier; steeliest
Synonyms of steelynext
1
: resembling or suggesting steel (as in hardness, color, strength, or coldness)
steely determination
steely blue
2
: made of steel
steeliness noun

Synonyms

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Examples of steely in a Sentence

a thief with steely nerves He had a steely determination to succeed. She gave him a steely gaze. a sky filled with steely gray clouds the judge's steely blue eyes
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That semi-fanciful film was a deadpan spin on the ingrained misogyny that conveniently tags a steely, orphaned 9-year-old village girl as a sorceress. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025 Pattinson manages a fine and witty character delineation between good-hearted, passive #17 and steely, brutal #18. — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025 The actor’s layered performance, teetering between sweet and steely, heartbroken and heartbreaking, is a highlight of the film that could have relied on its razzle-dazzle to carry it. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Feb. 2025 Brad Pitt, 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2020) In Quentin Tarantino’s alt-history fable, Pitt plays a steely stunt double equally adept at fixing TV antennas or dealing with the Manson Family, all with a grin on his weathered face. — Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for steely

Word History

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of steely was in 1509

Rhymes for steely

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Browse Nearby Words

steely
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Cite this Entry

“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steely. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

steely

adjective
ˈstē-lē How to pronounce steely (audio)
steelier; steeliest
1
: made of steel
2
: resembling steel (as in hardness or color)
a steely gaze
steeliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on steely

Nglish: Translation of steely for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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