What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
steeply
Example
The trail climbed steeply up the mountain. [steeply: adverb]
Example
The graph shows a steeply rising trend in sales. [steeply: adverb]
abruptly
Example
The meeting ended abruptly when the fire alarm went off. [abruptly: adverb]
Example
The car swerved abruptly to avoid hitting the pedestrian. [abruptly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Abruptly is more commonly used than steeply in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and can be used to describe both physical and non-physical changes.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between steeply and abruptly?
Both steeply and abruptly are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
