steepen

verb

steep·​en ˈstē-pən How to pronounce steepen (audio)
-pᵊm
steepened; steepening ˈstē-pə-niŋ How to pronounce steepen (audio)
ˈstēp-niŋ

transitive verb

: to make steeper

Examples of steepen in a Sentence

The path steepened as we approached the summit. A large glacier steepened the side of the mountain.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
They were confronted instead by an ever-steepening incline as the women’s game went professional. James Horncastle, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025 But from middle age to retirement age of 65, there is considerable loss, and then the loss steepens in the 70s as if falling off a cliff. Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025 Chronert considered the potential stock implications for a drop in the 2-year Treasury yield by a half percentage point, a steepening yield curve and the potential for either positive or negative economic data. Sarah Min, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025 Abrupt changes can amplify wave drag and steepen the shock signature, so this smoothing also assists in mitigating the sonic boom. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for steepen

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of steepen was in 1847

Cite this Entry

“Steepen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steepen. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

steepen

verb
steep·​en ˈstē-pən How to pronounce steepen (audio)
steepened; steepening ˈstēp-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce steepen (audio)
: to make or become steeper
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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