steady 1 of 3

adjective

ˈste-dē How to pronounce steady (audio)
Definition of steadynext
1
as in steadfast
firm in one's allegiance to someone or something even as wild accusations were circulating, she remained steady in her support for the candidate

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in frequent
appearing or occurring repeatedly from time to time a popular author who produces a steady output of best sellers year after year

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in constant
not undergoing a change in condition a steady breeze from the west

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in unchanging
not varying support for her presidential bid has been steady

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in reliable
worthy of one's trust a quiet but steady man who is one of the pillars of the community

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

steady

2 of 3

noun

as in flame

Related Words

steady

3 of 3

verb

as in to underlie

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective steady differ from other similar words?

The words equable and even are common synonyms of steady. While all three words mean "not varying throughout a course or extent," steady implies lack of fluctuation or interruption of movement.

steady progress

When could equable be used to replace steady?

The meanings of equable and steady largely overlap; however, equable implies lack of extremes or of sudden sharp changes.

maintain an equable temper

When would even be a good substitute for steady?

While the synonyms even and steady are close in meaning, even suggests a lack of variation in quality or character.

an even distribution

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of steady
Adjective
The most successful return-to-work journeys tend to develop gradually, built through informed decisions and steady progress rather than a single leap. — Diane Winiarski, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Torbert has been a steady riser in the recruiting rankings, climbing from the mid-300s earlier this year to his current spot in the top 100. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Noun
This calm becomes contagious — when a leader’s energy steadies, the team’s confidence rises. — Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2025 But if hiring steadies while inflation remains elevated, policymakers may opt to hold rates steady for several months. — Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
Verb
The footage, published by Reuters, shows passengers trying to steady themselves as the plane began to rapidly shake on the tarmac. — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 26 June 2026 Nothing about the daily judgment educators use to steady an overwhelmed child, adapt a lesson, stoke critical thinking, de-escalate a conflict or help a student who comes to school hungry. — Randi Weingarten, Fortune, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for steady
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steady
  1. steadfast
  2. frequent
  3. constant
  4. unchanging
  5. reliable
  6. flame
  7. underlie
  8. staunch
Adjective
  • To his supporters, Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the steadfast, fearless leader who transcended mere politics and inspired devotion.
    — Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Each project generated steadfast opposition from the city's neighborhoods, calling into question how the city should regulate the advanced technology centers.
    — Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026
Definition of steadfast
Adjective
  • Pat George, a frequent flier, avoided a line at the Admirals Club in Miami because a representative called ahead to a second lounge near Gate D15 to confirm there was no wait.
    — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Ukraine’s frequent attacks inside Russia — described by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a 40-day blitz — have especially targeted oil refineries, causing a fuel crisis that has frustrated Russians already feeling the war’s economic toll.
    — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of frequent
Adjective
  • Affluent travelers are paying a premium for experiences built around disconnection - not just from work, but from the constant noise of being online.
    — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • As a result, Skywalkers hovers between a sense of constant performance and disarming immediacy — the latter generally during the many vertigo-inducing drone shots of Ivan and Angela’s hair-raising accomplishments.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 July 2026
Definition of constant
Adjective
  • The soccer world has moved on from the idea that a coach must share his players' blood and that a team’s identity is just a reflection of an unchanging national character.
    — Michael Morris, Time, 1 July 2026
  • Typically, people recover meteorites in geologically unchanging regions, such as deserts or ice fields, where the meteorites stand out against the landscape.
    — Adam Lark, Scientific American, 28 June 2026
Definition of unchanging
Adjective
  • Andrews, a lifelong resident of Red Hook Houses West, said the community has waited long enough for a reliable pool.
    — Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • No reliable figures are available for battlefield casualties in the war.
    — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of reliable
Noun
  • The banners of Hightower green burning in the night, Rhaenyra staring ominously through the flames.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • Adding Sonny Gray and whatever flame-throwing relief pitcher is available would be just fine.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of flame
Verb
  • While the choreography was designed for a global TV audience, the underlying technology has broader industrial applications.
    — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • Mexican Americans have long risen up to defend ourselves and defy our haters, but there’s usually an underlying strain of bitterness and anger that kneecaps us at the worst possible moments.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of underlie
Adjective
  • Lithuania, which borders the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, has been one of Ukraine's staunchest allies during Russian President Vladimir Putin's more than four-year conflict with Kyiv, providing extensive military equipment and financial support.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 2 July 2026
  • Margo, a staunch Conservative neighbor of the couple, was disapproving of the pair’s decisions, and Keith’s performance would win her the 1977 BAFTA TV Award for best light entertainment.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026
Definition of staunch

Phrases Containing steady

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steads
steady
steadying
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Cite this Entry

“Steady.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steady. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on steady

Nglish: Translation of steady for Spanish Speakers

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