steeply

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "steeply" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has an incline or something that increases or decreases rapidly. For example: "The hill rose steeply in front of us, making it challenging to climb."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Economics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But in light of recent evidence, it no longer seems central to assume it will decline so steeply.

The Guardian

As an undetectable means of bumping someone off, poison has fallen steeply out of favour in recent times, forensic technology having advanced to such a degree that the presence of even the smallest quantities of any toxic agent in a corpse will now almost inevitably be detected.

The Guardian

This portion of Capri is not accessible to cars, and the narrow streets steeply lead away from the main shopping precinct.

The Guardian - Travel

On the ascent from the small town of Trujillo to Venezuela's mountain capital of Mérida, lush tropical scenery dotted with coffee plantations, sugar cane and banana palms gave way to steeply inclined fields still ploughed by oxen, beyond which came the bleak high moorlands or páramos.

The Guardian - Travel

Grinning wildly, Meilutyte perched on the lane rope and lifted her arms wide to the 17,000 roaring fans in the steeply raked wings of seating.

The Guardian - Sport

The southern slopes of the Lattari mountains descend so steeply into the sea between the villages of Positano and Vietri sul Mare that they often become cliffs.

The Guardian - Travel

Some of the streets – steeply raking down the hill towards the North Sea - are recognisable from the film "Billy Elliot", which is set there.

The Guardian

The town is as steeply raked as an amphitheatre, and my abiding memory is of scaling its steps and winding roads with all our stuff, then checking into a hotel attractively situated at the point where our legs gave out.

The Guardian - Travel

In France, for example, anti-Semitic attacks, often perpetrated by Muslims, rose steeply after the second intifada began in 2000.

The Economist

Since late 2008 the share of debt issued by financial firms abroad has risen steeply, from 15% to 22%, the IMF says.Moreover, official figures on external borrowing may not capture the entire picture because of "hidden debt" being accumulated by emerging-market firms.

The Economist

But DVD sales, which began declining gradually in 2006, are now falling more steeply (see chart).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "steeply" to describe changes or inclines that are both significant and rapid. Avoid using it for gradual or minor changes.

Common error

Don't use "steeply" when describing a slow or gradual change. Opt for adverbs like "gradually" or "moderately" instead.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "steeply" functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a quality is exhibited. It emphasizes a rapid or significant degree of change, incline, or descent, as shown in Ludwig AI examples like "DVD sales are now falling more steeply" or "The town is as steeply raked as an amphitheatre."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Economics

21%

Travel

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Unknown/unmatched sources

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

As indicated by Ludwig AI, the adverb "steeply" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe rapid or significant changes or inclines. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as in economic discussions. When writing, remember that "steeply" is most effective when emphasizing a substantial and rapid change, and should not be used for gradual shifts. Alternatives like "sharply" or "rapidly" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. By understanding its proper usage and context, you can effectively incorporate "steeply" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sharply inclined

Focuses on the physical incline rather than the rate of change.

rapidly increasing

Emphasizes the speed of the upward change.

quickly declining

Highlights a fast decrease.

markedly rising

Stresses the noticeable increase.

substantially decreasing

Underscores the significant reduction.

precipitously falling

Implies a sudden and dramatic drop.

abruptly rising

Indicates a sudden and unexpected increase.

exponentially growing

Suggests a very rapid and accelerating increase.

plunging downwards

Describes a steep and rapid descent.

soaring upwards

Describes a steep and rapid ascent.

FAQs

How can I use "steeply" in a sentence?

You can use "steeply" to describe a rapid increase or decrease, or a sharp incline. For instance, "The stock market fell "steeply" after the announcement" or "The path rose "steeply" towards the summit."

What are some alternatives to the word "steeply"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "sharply", "rapidly", or "precipitously".

Is it correct to say something "declined steeply"?

Yes, it is correct. "Declined steeply" indicates a rapid and significant decrease in something.

What's the difference between "steeply" and "gradually"?

"Steeply" describes a rapid and significant change, while "gradually" describes a slow and incremental change. They are near antonyms.