steely

adjective

ˈstē-lē 

steelier; steeliest

1

: resembling or suggesting steel (as in hardness, color, strength, or coldness)

steely determination

steely blue

2

: made of steel

steeliness noun

Synonyms

• austere
• dour
• fierce
• flinty
• forbidding
• grim
• gruff
• intimidating
• lowering
• louring
• rough
• rugged
• severe
• stark
• stern
• ungentle

Examples of steely in a Sentence

a thief with steely nerves

He had a steely determination to succeed.

She gave him a steely gaze.

a sky filled with steely gray clouds

the judge's steely blue eyes

Recent Examples on the Web

Patricia Arquette is breaking down the shift that occurs with her steely Severance character. —Dory Jackson, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025

Whether meeting a bad fate while trying to fix the ship or dying several times in vaccine trials (RIP Mickeys 12 to 16) our hard-luck main man navigates it all while being held in contempt by everyone around him besides his steely girlfriend Nasha (Naomi Ackie). —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025

Instead of black, opt for a cool steely blue that possesses depth but evokes a sense of calm. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025

Amid Erika’s serenity season, there’s a thrill to these reminders that her steely edge is still right there beneath the surface. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for steely

• freely
• keeley
• mealy
• seely
• vilely
• ideally
• lapilli
• swahili
• intraperitoneally
• kiswahili

Kids Definition

steely

adjective

ˈstē-lē 

steelier; steeliest

1

: made of steel

2

: resembling steel (as in hardness or color)

a steely gaze

steeliness noun