2
: making a large angle with the plane of the horizon
3
a
: mounting or falling precipitously
the stairs were very steep
b
: being or characterized by a rapid and intensive decline or increase
4
: extremely or excessively high
steep prices
: a precipitous place
steeped; steeping; steeps
1
: to soak in a liquid at a temperature under the boiling point (as for softening, bleaching, or extracting an essence)
2
: to cover with or plunge into a liquid (as in bathing, rinsing, or soaking)
3
: to saturate with or subject thoroughly to (some strong or pervading influence)
practices steeped in tradition
: to undergo the process of soaking in a liquid
steeper
noun
1
: the state or process of being steeped
2
: a bath or solution in which something is steeped
Synonyms
Examples of steep in a Sentence
Adjective
The stairs are very steep.
a steep drop in prices
The store's prices are too steep for me.
Their rates are pretty steep.
Verb
Steep the tea for three minutes.
The tea steeped for five minutes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024
Indeed, the locations where the TV action was filmed have already seen a steep uptick in website traffic.
—Irenie Forshaw, The Week Uk, theweek, 19 Nov. 2024
Kim Velsey, Curbed, 29 Oct. 2024
Freeride-mode locks in the ankle for straight-lining steeps and tackling technical faces, while surf-mode frees up range of motion for slaying side hits and flowy pow days.
—Drew Zieff, Outside Online, 11 Oct. 2024
Rachel King, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Hot infusion Boiling or near-boiling water is poured directly over the herbs and left to steep for five minutes or more.
—Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for steep 
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.
Adjective
Super Micro’s stock is currently trading at $27, representing a steep decline of 78% from its March peak of $123.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024
Indeed, the locations where the TV action was filmed have already seen a steep uptick in website traffic.
—Irenie Forshaw, The Week Uk, theweek, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
And while the price is a little steep for a one-bedroom in this neighborhood, a two-bedroom in the building has already sold for over $1 million.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 29 Oct. 2024
Freeride-mode locks in the ankle for straight-lining steeps and tackling technical faces, while surf-mode frees up range of motion for slaying side hits and flowy pow days.
—Drew Zieff, Outside Online, 11 Oct. 2024
Verb
The Amaro is steeped with a blend of 16 botanicals for five to six months, then fortified with local wine and sweetened with maple syrup.
—Rachel King, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Hot infusion Boiling or near-boiling water is poured directly over the herbs and left to steep for five minutes or more.
—Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for steep
Dictionary Entries Near steep
Cite this Entry
“Steep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steep. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
steep
1 of 3 adjective1
: having a very sharp slope : almost straight up-and-down
2
: being or characterized by a very rapid decline or increase
3
: too great or high
steep prices
steeply
adverb
steep
2 of 3 noun
: a sharply sloping place
steep
3 of 3 verb1
a
: to soak in liquid (as for drawing out a flavor) at a temperature under the boiling point
steep tea
b
: to undergo the process of soaking in a liquid
2
: to fill with or involve deeply
steeped in learning
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share