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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of steely
His athleticism is an asset in the No 10 role — the perfect link player with quality combined with stamina and a steely work ethic.
—
James Pearce, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for steely
James Pearce, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for steely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steely
Adjective
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Simultaneously punched out, yet refusing to stay down for the count, a gruff Smith does his actorly best to understand, then diss, his public’s view of the slap heard round the world.—
A.D. Amorosi,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
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In a gruff voice, Fino speculated about what besides the mushroom might have caused the disease.—
Shayla Love,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Paired to a beautiful, matching bracelet and equipped also with rubber or black-lined grey alligator straps, the Overseas Ultra-Thin is a versatile piece that can be dressed up or down in an instant.—
Oren Hartov,
Robb Report,
18 Mar. 2025
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Trump acknowledged the potential grey area - and repeated his claim about Biden's cognition - while speaking to reporters on Air Force One.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
17 Mar. 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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Subplots like his minority investment in the sleazy nightclub The Snakehole Lounge afforded him the opportunity to showcase a stunning variety of little coats, unlike Scott, whose stern and straight-laced state auditor Ben Wyatt seemingly never changes into anything less formal.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Her husband Justin, meanwhile, wore his usual bulbous silhouette and teeny headgear: in a large textured black fleece, a red hoodie, beige trousers, suede brown moccasins, and a tight gray beanie.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
27 Mar. 2025
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Choose between gray and white stripes or black and white stripes to coordinate with your outdoor sofa or lounge chairs.—
Blake Bakkila,
Architectural Digest,
27 Mar. 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 bottom line: The total number of applicants nationwide remains below record highs seen in the 1990s, per the WSJ, but the year-over-year jump still means fierce competition for aspiring lawyers.—
Torey Van Oot,
Axios,
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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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
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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
Adjective
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.
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