STEEP Synonyms: 207 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'steep' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of steep are abrupt , precipitous , and sheer . While all these words mean "having an incline approaching the perpendicular," steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult. // a steep hill // a steep dive

Q: When would 'abrupt' be a good substitute for 'steep'?

In some situations, the words abrupt and steep are roughly equivalent. However, abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level. // a beach with an abrupt drop-off

Q: When might 'precipitous' be a better fit than 'steep'?

While in some cases nearly identical to steep , precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical. // the river winds through a precipitous gorge

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sheer' instead of 'steep'?

Although the words sheer and steep have much in common, sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse. // sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers

steep 1 of 3

adjective

ˈstēp

Definition of steep

as in mountainous

having an incline approaching the perpendicular a very steep rock face that is nearly impossible to climb

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in excessive

going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount we would like to hire him, but his salary demands are just too steep

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

steep

2 of 3

verb

as in to suffuse

to cause (as a person) to become filled or saturated with a certain quality or principle grew up steeped in the ways of his ancestors a town steeped in history

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to soak

to wet thoroughly with liquid chew fresh ginger that has been steeped in hot water to aid digestion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

steep

3 of 3

noun

as in cliff

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word steep different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of steep are abrupt, precipitous, and sheer. While all these words mean "having an incline approaching the perpendicular," steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult.

a steep hill

a steep dive

When would abrupt be a good substitute for steep?

In some situations, the words abrupt and steep are roughly equivalent. However, abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level.

a beach with an abrupt drop-off

When might precipitous be a better fit than steep?

While in some cases nearly identical to steep, precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical.

the river winds through a precipitous gorge

When is it sensible to use sheer instead of steep?

Although the words sheer and steep have much in common, sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse.

sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers

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 steep

Adjective

The state is only halfway to its 2030 target and, at the current pace, may not meet it until 2034; the 2045 goal requires even steeper cuts. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 On ticket resale sites, the cheapest seats are going for a minimum of about $1,000 on Thursday afternoon, which might be too steep for Johnson. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Verb

Thoroughly wash strawberry leaves before enjoying them plain, tossed into smoothies or sauces, or steeped to make a tea. — Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 18 Aug. 2026 Grief expertise is attributed to those people that are really deeply steeped and trained in grief, so those might be therapists, those might be thanatologists who study death, and dying, and bereavement. — Mikaela Cohen, Fortune, 14 July 2026

Noun

Let the tea steep for a few minutes and remove and throw away the tea bags. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 19 June 2026 Plus, the compliance infrastructure required makes the cost of entry steep. — Sulolit Raj Mukherjee, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for steep

Recent Examples of Synonyms for steep

Adjective

One person was killed and 94 were injured in Taiwan, where the government said almost 1,300 people had been evacuated from mountainous areas.

— Reuters, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
Oyamel firs thrive in cool, moist, mountainous environments, usually between 1,200 and 4,100 meters (3,940–13,450 feet) above sea level, where fog and precipitation are common.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of mountainous

Adjective

According to a one-year analysis of data collected from San Francisco’s 33 camera locations and other traffic-sensing equipment, excessive speeding — more than 10 mph above the speed limit — dropped nearly 80%.

— Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Brought by Koya’s estate and daughter Nathifa Wright, it’s being heard at Sacramento’s United States District Court and seeks damages for 17 claims, including false detention, excessive force and wrongful death.

— Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of excessive

Verb

The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood advisory Thursday as rain and king tides are forecast to soak South Florida.

— Miami Herald Staff Report, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Paltrow has described her own approach as more restrained, with dry-brushing before heat and a 20-minute warm bath soak most evenings.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of soak

Noun

The two lanes closest to the cliff remain closed, with traffic routed on the remaining two lanes, with one lane in each direction.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
The building, known in German as the Kehlsteinhaus, is located on a cliff 1,834 meters (6,017 feet) above sea level.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of cliff

Adjective

Over recent years, ambitious and headline-grabbing solutions to transportation problems have been unveiled in South Florida, from vertical jet ports to autonomous vehicles.

— Sofia Zarran, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Urquiola paid homage to the existing building by highlighting its external structure and ensuring that the interior design engages with the orderly geometry of the façade’s vertical lines.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of vertical

Verb

For much of the Gaza war, Israeli protesters flooded the streets demanding that Netanyahu strike a deal with Hamas to release Israeli hostages and end the fighting.

— Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
The area has experienced unusually heavy rain since Wednesday that caused rivers to surge, flooding homes and forcing water rescues.

— Anna Wilder, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of flood

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steely

steep

steeped

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Style

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

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Synonyms of steep

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