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steely

[stee-lee] / ˈsti li /










Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

For good measure he also called Mellon “tight lipped, steely eyed and tight fisted.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

Real-life proprietor Andrea Pruett, a sweet but steely Southerner who kept her own gun behind the counter, greeted them in French and German, then fed them buffalo burgers and omelets.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

Whether he was playing steely but likeable heroes or a chillingly menacing villains, Neill was one of the most versatile stars in the film industry and always commanded attention on screen.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

Winocour’s filmmaking itself is as steely as a Parisian’s gaze after you order the last croissant à la pâtisserie.

From Salon ● Jun. 29, 2026

His echo was strong and sad and rang with a steely chord of disbelief.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx

This was a steelier Scotland, especially when having to cope with the disappointment of losing one of their leaders to what looked like a bad injury.

From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2024

Only when the topic of the closure came up did the owner’s friendly manner shift into something steelier.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2023

She often plays sunny characters with something steelier underneath.

From New York Times ● Feb. 21, 2019

She strikes me as a woman who gets things done, steelier than the quirky, slightly scatty figure she has often portrayed on screen.

From The Guardian ● Jan. 12, 2018

Slowly, as they kept talking, his face got steelier and steelier.

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon

There’s something about this storied tournament that can make even the steeliest of players weak in the knees.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 9, 2026

“Pure/Honey,” next to last, is another sub-bass monster: The first part, propelled by a nasty kick drum, is a surprising approximation of techno at its steeliest, or maybe its most “pure.”

From New York Times ● Jul. 29, 2022

Russians are famously great chess players, yet there are moments when even the steeliest grandmasters find their initial advances on the board blocked and must adjust strategy.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 15, 2022

The work can bring some of the steeliest to crumble.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 19, 2021

Suddenly he meets something that is as fresh and lovely as a spring flower, and has wits too, and the steeliest courage, and yet is all youth and gaiety.

From Mr. Standfast by John Buchan


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