What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
steely
Example
She had a steely determination to succeed in her career. [steely: adjective]
Example
He looked at her with steely eyes, showing no emotion. [steely: adjective]
unyielding
Example
Despite the evidence against him, he remained unyielding in his beliefs. [unyielding: adjective]
Example
The unyielding steel beam could not be bent or broken. [unyielding: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unyielding is more commonly used than steely in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications. Steely is less common and tends to be used in more specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between steely and unyielding?
Both steely and unyielding are relatively formal words, and may not be commonly used in casual conversation. However, unyielding is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.