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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

steady

2 of 3

noun

as in flame

Related Words

steady

3 of 3

verb

as in to underlie

Related Words

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
Batteries help maintain a steady flow of power when sources such as solar and wind are not producing. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 Traders are now pricing in an 85% chance of the Fed holding interest rates steady, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. — Sean Conlon,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
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 Use a tripod or stand Keeping your phone steady will ensure photos are sharp and crisp, not blurry. — Melina Khan, IndyStar, 12 Nov. 2025
Verb
How do you — not as an anthropologist and not as a filmmaker, but as a human — steady yourself through witnessing something like this? — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026 That ability to steady each other would take on a different meaning when the couple found themselves navigating the fires together. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 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
  • Meanwhile, waiting in the wings is a man of few words — and initially, few feelings, or so thinks Marianne — the steadfast Colonel Brandon (Herbert Nordrum).
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The poem continues with more verses about Burns’s steadfast love, but beyond that, nothing really happens.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of steadfast
Adjective
  • Over time, the sinkholes became more frequent, and county workers struggled to inspect the entire pipe with their own equipment.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The link between frequent, accidental naps and dementia remained just as strong, suggesting that changes in napping habits can show up years before a formal diagnosis.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of frequent
Adjective
  • In a city where change is constant — especially in the food and beverage scene — Charlotte’s classic restaurants are among the most beloved places to gather with family and friends or stop in for a comforting bite to eat.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Additional trips to the store aren’t the primary issue, but the constant temptation of these deals could lead to more impulse purchases — which could strain your finances during and after the holidays.
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of constant
Adjective
  • His unchanging mind leads to an act of extreme violence against Leo.
    — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Everything remains perfect and unchanging, but thanks to this constant attention.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of unchanging
Adjective
  • Recent strategy resets among global energy majors BP, Shell and ExxonMobil illustrate a greater focus on delivering reliable supply and ensuring that infrastructure can meet fast-growing power demand.
    — H.E. Dr Abdulla Saif Al Jarwan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Their usefulness will depend on reliable navigation, robust fault responses and effective coordination between onboard systems.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of reliable
Noun
  • The fire broke out at the Eagle’s Nest in the Bavarian Alps on Friday evening, and firefighters battled the flames against strong winds.
    — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Around 200 firefighters and emergency personnel ⁠in the area around Berchtesgaden in ​the southern region of Bavaria were battling ​the flames after the building, known as the Kehlsteinhaus, caught fire on Friday, police said.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of flame
Verb
  • The underlying vulnerability of the GOP was the state of the economy, which was suffering from inflation and the hangover from the oil embargo of 1973 by Arab members of OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
    — Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Strip it out and the underlying growth picture is even flatter than the headline suggests.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of underlie
Adjective
  • Predominantly Muslim Malaysia is a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and has no diplomatic or direct economic ties with Israel.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The billionaire developer lost to Bass in the 2022 election, and was a staunch critic of the mayor for her response to the 2025 Palisades fire.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of staunch

Phrases Containing steady

Browse Nearby Words

steads
steady
steadying
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Steady.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steady. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All