STEEP Synonyms: 207 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

steep 1 of 3

adjective

ˈstēp

Definition of steep

as in mountainous

having an incline approaching the perpendicular a very steep rock face that is nearly impossible to climb

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

steep

2 of 3

verb

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

steep

3 of 3

noun

as in cliff

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of steep

Adjective

Japan never threatened after that, struggling as Martina mixed in fastballs and curveballs to oohs and ahs from the nearly 22,000 fans who packed the bleachers and steep hill overlooking the outfield. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 Chinese cars are effectively banned in the United States through steep tariffs and regulatory restrictions, but that doesn’t apply to everything China touches in the auto industry. — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

Meanwhile, steeping the banana peels in milk gives the topping an extra layer of banana flavor without adding extra fruit or moisture. — Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026 In 15,000 square feet over two stories, the emporium will introduce diners to culinary highlights from throughout Asia, much like how its mall neighbor, Eataly, has steeped diners in the regional specialties of Italy. — Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 23 June 2026

Noun

Plus, the compliance infrastructure required makes the cost of entry steep. — Sulolit Raj Mukherjee, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2026 Lusti and Pierrel must be hyper-fixated on precision, because every single body movement on a rock face that steep comes with consequences. — Frederick Dreier, Outside, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for steep

Recent Examples of Synonyms for steep

Adjective

Under partial sunshine, Pakistan finished England's second innings at 208 before noon but the host had a mountainous lead of 388 runs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
More than 500 foreigners from 32 countries are among those still unaccounted for in the rugged mountainous region, which is popular with pilgrims and trekkers.

— Josh Feldman, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of mountainous

Adjective

Carrying five tight ends is excessive, so there probably won’t be room for Fidone unless Theo Johnson’s shoulder injury is more serious than initially believed.

— Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Interestingly, patient education level or excessive punctuation had little impact.

— Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of excessive

Verb

But Pete took the idea one step further, taking the organization’s iconic symbol — the star — and suffusing it with a deeper meaning.

— Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Cowin has brought the tradition up to date beginning in the late 1970s by suffusing her work with the look and feel of cinema and television (close-ups, storyboard-style progression), and the centering of women’s experience in the narrative.

— Leah Ollman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of suffuse

Verb

Palace workers also collected cards soaked after a nightly downpour and dried them to preserve the mourners’ messages for posterity, NRK reported.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Excess moisture is the biggest concern, so avoid soaking the surface and dry it thoroughly after cleaning.

— Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of soak

Noun

That income limit is a cliff — earning a dollar over the limit generally means paying the full, unsubsidized premium.

— Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Both are protected areas with stunning beaches, dramatic cliffs, and unique wildlife, like dolphins and flamingos.

— Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of cliff

Adjective

Stipp emphasizes Suja Life's long-term vision, vertical integration, and brand-building expertise, aiming for sustained double-digit growth despite current market challenges.

— Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
That kind of vertical integration is becoming an increasingly important strategy across China’s EV industry.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of vertical

Adjective

China is also blocked from accessing ASML’s most advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) machines.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Intel is a slightly different case because it’s also caught up in the mania for chip stocks as spending on artificial intelligence creates extreme demand for semiconductors.

— Norah Rami, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of extreme

Verb

The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.

— MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
And on July 12, 2008, two undocumented immigrants drowned as a wash near Nogales flooded in a heavy thunderstorm.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of flood

Browse Nearby Words

steely

steep

steeped

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Steep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steep. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of steep

adjective

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes