Synonyms of steep

steep 1 of 3

adjective

ˈstēp 

1

as in mountainous

having an incline approaching the perpendicular

a very steep rock face that is nearly impossible to climb

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mountainous
• vertical
• precipitous
• sheer
• sloped
• abrupt
• perpendicular
• bold
• hilly
• tilted
• craggy
• straight
• plumb
• angled
• scarped
• tipped
• heeled
• slanted
• inclined
• hillocky
• listed
• cocked
• canted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• moderate
• gradual
• soft
• gentle
• smooth
• flat
• level
• horizontal
• even
• flush
• plane
• unruffled
• unwrinkled

2

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

• excessive
• extreme
• insane
• extravagant
• infinite
• exorbitant
• endless
• lavish
• inordinate
• undue
• intolerable
• fancy
• over the top
• baroque
• immoderate
• stiff
• unconscionable
• unbearable
• overdue
• towering
• plethoric
• unmerciful
• devilish
• inappropriate
• overextravagant
• overmuch
• overweening
• improper
• a bit much
• immeasurable
• unjustifiable
• limitless
• boundless
• unwarranted
• unseemly
• thick
• unrestrained

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reasonable
• moderate
• modest
• inadequate
• insufficient
• minimum
• temperate
• minimal
• middling
• deficient

steep

2 of 3

verb

1

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

• suffuse
• flood
• charge
• invest
• infuse
• inoculate
• fill
• inculcate
• imbue
• indue
• overwhelm
• plant
• drown
• engrain
• endue
• invigorate
• enliven
• animate
• ingrain
• leaven
• saturate
• submerge
• permeate
• pervade
• deluge
• inundate
• implant
• instill
• impregnate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deprive
• take (away)
• clear
• strip
• eliminate
• remove
• empty
• divest

2

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

• soak
• drown
• saturate
• dip
• macerate
• wash
• sodden
• drench
• submerge
• immerse
• impregnate
• sop
• water
• penetrate
• swamp
• souse
• water-soak
• damp
• seethe
• waterlog
• inundate
• hydrate
• marinate
• infiltrate
• permeate
• bathe
• dampen
• moisten
• presoak
• humidify
• douse
• swill
• dowse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dry
• wring (out)
• drain
• empty
• dehydrate
• void
• sear
• desiccate
• parch
• dehumidify

steep

3 of 3

noun

as in cliff

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cliff
• precipice
• bluff
• plateau
• crag
• ridge
• tor
• tableland
• mesa
• butte
• mountain
• peak
• mount
• sierra
• hill
• table
• dome
• highland
• prominence
• upland
• altitude
• elevation
• foothill
• knoll
• hillock
• alp
• sugarloaf
• rise
• hump
• eminence
• knob
• downs
• mound
• height
• hummock

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• valley
• lowland
• depression
• hollow
• vale
• dale
• glen
• basin
• flat
• bottom
• plain
• dell
• floodplain
• tidewater
• bottomland
• fen
• dingle

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

Recent Examples of steep

Adjective

These centuries-old mule tracks were originally used by farmers to transport grapes, olives, and lemons grown on terraces cut into the steep, mountainous landscape. —Gina Decaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025

Many schools are now bracing for steep declines in support. —Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025

Verb

Tea leaves were removed after steeping by pouring the tea through a cellulose filter into a separate tube. —Ars Technica, 25 Feb. 2025

Just steep a half a cup of rosebuds in hot water for a few minutes, strain, and add sugar. —Patrice J. Williams, Essence, 10 Feb. 2025

Noun

French Press: The French press is a pot with that steeps the coffee grounds before separating it with a plunger. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2025

What To Know The company made a strong Wall Street debut but shares in the company experienced sharp rises and steep falls over the last year—from peaks of around $66 to lows of about $12. Often, changes appeared to correlate with significant events involving Trump himself. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024