stony

adjective

ˈstō-nē How to pronounce stony (audio)
variants or less commonly stoney
stonier; stoniest
Synonyms of stonynext
1
: abounding in or having the nature of stone : rocky
a stony path/ridge
2
a
: insensitive to pity or human feeling : obdurate
a stony heart
b
: manifesting no movement or reaction : expressionless
gave them a stony stare
c
: fearfully gripping : petrifying
3
archaic : consisting of or made of stones
4
British : stone broke
stonily
ˈstō-nə-lē How to pronounce stony (audio)
adverb
stoniness
ˈstō-nē-nəs How to pronounce stony (audio)
noun

Synonyms of stony

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Examples of stony in a Sentence

She gave him a stony stare. the judge's stony demeanor didn't raise the defendant's hopes for a more lenient sentence
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.
Instead of looking like a sleek urban loft, the room can quickly start to feel cold, stony, and impersonal. — Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 9 May 2026 These conditions often yield mezcals with a savory backbone and a dry, stony finish. — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2026 But his landscape paintings of the stony canyons and craggy cliffs that define this part of the country seem to be everywhere these days. — Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026 Hikers can traverse the stony beds of Cliffy Creek and snap photos of the park's four iconic waterfalls. — Joie Probst, Midwest Living, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stony

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stony was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing stony

Rhymes for stony

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Browse Nearby Words

stonker
stony
stony broke
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Cite this Entry

“Stony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stony. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stony

adjective
variants also stoney
ˈstō-nē How to pronounce stony (audio)
stonier; stoniest
1
a
: full of stones
stony soil
b
: hard as stone
a stony seed
2
: pitiless, unfeeling
a stony stare
stonily
ˈstōn-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce stony (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on stony

Nglish: Translation of stony for Spanish Speakers

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