1
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
pinned them with a steely gaze and demanded to know what they were doing
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gray
of the color gray
steely eyes that are the color of a stormy sky
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of steely
These boats sail largely undetected with only the top of the craft visible — often painted, researchers say, in steely blues and grays to blend in with the stormy Atlantic waves and evade surveillance efforts.
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Simon Owen , Greg Palkot, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Her hair, styled by her go-to hairstylist Tokyo Stylez, was deeply parted to one side for a peekaboo effect and to show off the icy blonde roots, which transitioned from a steely baby blue to a dark denim at the ends.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 8 Dec. 2025
Like Frank, she was introduced early in the season as an accomplished, steely professional who gets things done.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Dec. 2025
Colman Domingo, who won an Emmy for his role as Rue’s sponsor Ali, is similarly set to return, as is Martha Kelly in her role as steely drug dealer Laurie.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steely
Adjective
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Approved by The Boss himself, the live-music and storytelling show finds Azaria slipping into his best Springsteen guise for a night of gruff tales and greatest hits.—
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The gory skit ends with the gruff older man rushing through the door to announce he’s made amends with his son, only to have his head sliced off by the flying chainsaw.—
Adjective
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Winter showcases the exfoliating bark, which peels away to reveal strips of gray, orange, and brick red.—
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The coat is available in five colors, including dark brown, oat, caramel, gray, and black, as well as sizes ranging from XS to XL.—
Adjective
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Several French and Italian citizens were among the dead, and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for stern punishment to be meted out to those responsible for the blaze.—
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Continue reading … FLIP-FLOP – Reporter claims Harris privately joked about question before stern response.—
Adjective
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The first agent gets into a silver Chevy Tahoe driven by someone else and leaves.—
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After the incident, the robbers got into a silver sedan with at least one additional person inside who was driving, police said.—
Adjective
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Some nearby residents, including Sue Weston — the owner of Weston Gardens in Bloom, a historic garden located on Anglin Drive — have expressed fierce opposition to the data center.—
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Last year, the governor tried to increase the number of in-office days to four only to face fierce resistance from his employees and their labor representatives.—
Adjective
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Another violent image now joins the grim archive that has made Minnesota an unwilling stage for national trauma for years running.—
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Continue reading … PUT ON NOTICE – Trump discusses expansion of drug cartel crackdown, issues grim warning to Iran.—
Adjective
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Gazing out the window on approach to Salt Lake City’s sprawling semi-new international transportation edifice, Lamar Skeeter ponders his trail mirroring the rugged terrain surrounding the area below.—
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For a quiet, relaxing base onshore, check out Marriott’s all-inclusive Almare, which opened in 2024, and Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets, an adults-only refuge on the island’s rugged southern point.—
Adjective
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The 6-foot-4, 325-pound Orange is a reliable run-stuffer with elite strength, and would be an intimidating presence in the middle of any defense.—
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However, the gym can be both costly and intimidating, and some people just simply don’t have the time due to work or travel schedules.—
Cite this Entry
“Steely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steely. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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