steep 1 of 3

steep

2 of 3

verb

steep

3 of 3

noun

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

Examples of steep in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
But bear in mind that a steep NAV discount is great for buying, not so much for selling. Michael Foster, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 However, Nuveen’s Close noted that the intermediate to long part of the curve is now very steep, unlike the Treasury curve. Michelle Fox, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
Except that it’s become clear that nothing quite compares to properly steeped loose leaf. Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 Cover pitcher or container and refrigerate overnight to steep. Don Francisco Coffee, Sunset Magazine, 27 Sep. 2024
Noun
The shorts are made out of durable nylon that stretches enough to allow you the range of motion to stand on a picnic table for no reason or hike the steeps of a Colorado mountain trail. Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 27 July 2024 Increasing the time tea steeps increases the amount of caffeine and other components like theanine. Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for steep 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steep
Adjective
  • Link River, just 1.5 miles long, is the beginning of the Klamath River, which meanders through 257 miles of sparsely populated, mountainous land in Southern Oregon and Northern California before flowing into the Pacific Ocean.
    Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
  • This deluge raises the risk of flash flooding and mudslides, especially in Jamaica’s mountainous regions.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Avoid excessive iron supplementation: Taking iron supplements can lead to iron overload for people without an iron deficiency.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli, causing our senses to work overtime on what is not necessary or important.
    Shira Gill, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • At the same time, on a story level, Shōgun was providing the kind of dynastic drama that has suffused recent Emmy favorites from Thrones to Succession to The Crown.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2024
  • For one thing, violent imagery suffuses even normal political rhetoric.
    Washington Post staff, Washington Post, 14 July 2024
Verb
  • Simply add a few drops of this gentle formula to your bath and soak your cares away while moisturizing your skin with aloe, Vitamin E oil, and castor oil.
    Christina Shepherd McGuire, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The soaking tubs in the primary bedrooms have perfectly framed views of the crashing waves below.
    Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The one at Land’s End is perhaps most famous, near the mist and crying seabirds of the Golden Gate (just don’t approach the cliffs).
    Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
  • Snow blankets the dramatic cliffs, some mountain passes are closed, and ferry services are limited.
    David Nikel, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • This crazy star seems to communicate with a smaller, five-pointed star to its upper right that is mainly light blue, though its loose weave of horizontal and vertical marks also contains other colors.
    Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The 1,200 vertical drop is decently steep for the Finger Lake region.
    Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The question asks whether to remove the state superintendent of public instruction from the list of top state officials who would step into the governor’s role under extreme circumstances.
    Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
  • What might another extreme attack on the U.S. electoral system look like?
    Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Since May, Liccardo and Low have duked it out on the campaign trail as millions of dollars flooded the race despite it not being one of California’s key battleground races.
    Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The intrigue: Big donors are flooding Pennsylvania with cash, and much of the attention is on Democratic Sen. Bob Casey's fight to keep his seat.
    Alexa Mencia, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near steep

Cite this Entry

“Steep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steep. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on steep

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