STEELY Synonyms: 170 Similar and Opposite Words

steely

adjective

ˈstē-lē

Definition of steely

as in gruff

harsh and threatening in manner or appearance pinned them with a steely gaze and demanded to know what they were doing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in gray

of the color gray steely eyes that are the color of a stormy sky

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 steely On Prison Break, the steely-eyed William Fichtner played relentless FBI agent Alexander Mahone, who is tasked with hunting the main characters down. — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Aug. 2026 Fly’s brand of rap, defined by spare, steely 808 beats and club shoutouts, was wildly popular, spawning nearly 50 mixtape volumes and many more songs since. — Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026 With a steely disposition, Dikha is seen in the videos standing at the very front of a thin boat, executing a repetitive series of dance moves as a line of rowers propel them through a river. — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 The warts-and-all approach gives the film its steely edge and its steady insight. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for steely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for steely

Adjective

Defying the old-school stereotype of the hard-nosed, gruff newspaper boss, Vaughn often mentored young reporters in a serious but friendly and encouraging manner.

— Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
Over three decades in stand-up comedy, Bill Burr has gained a reputation for saying, with gruff conviction and political fire, the thing on everyone’s mind.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of gruff

Adjective

The party of Ronald Reagan and Sonny Bono and Arnold Schwarzenegger and Fred Thompson and Clint Eastwood now apparently thinks being silver-screen famous is a liability.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
They are completed with decorative side straps with silver buckles around the top shaft and across the lower foot.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of silver

Adjective

Projects that communities had originally welcomed were suddenly met with fierce opposition, and companies had to improve.

— Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
What is to come afterwards is when their world is on fire as the fierce Battle Of Okinawa Island takes them , and us, back to sad reality.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of fierce

Adjective

The discovery raises the possibility of a grim outcome in the search for the four men, which has led to El Salvador deploying 450 special forces soldiers to Haiti as of Friday to aid the gang-fighting force in the search.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
The arc of Bradley Whitford’s career makes for a grim report card on the state of the country.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of grim

Adjective

Their rugged shape acts as a welcome counterpoint, toughening up outfits with a particular cool girl edge.

— Nuria Luis, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
The headline addition is an external lens attachment that extends the camera's optical reach far beyond what standard rugged handsets offer.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of rugged

Adjective

On their own, the clues in the set are brief and uninformative enough to be a little intimidating.

— Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2026
The Valkyries, meanwhile, have fostered one of the most intimidating home environments at San Francisco’s Chase Center, which the team shares with its sibling NBA franchise, the Golden State Warriors.

— Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of intimidating

Browse Nearby Words

steels

steely

steep

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Style

“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of steely

adjective

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