steely

[stee-lee]

adjective

steelier, steeliest 

1. consisting or made of steel.

2. resembling or suggesting steel, as in color, strength, or hardness.

Other Word Forms

• steeliness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of steely¹

First recorded in 1500–10; steel + -y ¹

Example Sentences

“I agree,” she insists over and over again, with steely cheer that bends Teddy and Don’s resolve.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Our safety and freedom depend on our leaders having the same steely determination today.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Lewis, who delivers Orwell’s words with a steely intensity that builds toward alarm, says his warnings have only grown more urgent.

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Sciver-Brunt's demeanour around the press is relaxed but with a steely edge while Edwards has a quiet determination.

Read more on BBC

He was greeted with steely silence, but the joke, if it was that, might well have killed in the classroom of a suburban high school.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• adamant 
• immutable 
• intractable 
• obstinate 
• resolute 
• rigid 
• rigorous 
• steadfast 
• strict 
• stringent 
• uncompromising 
• unyielding