steely

[ stee-lee ]

/ ˈsti li /

consisting or made of steel.

resembling or suggesting steel, as in color, strength, or hardness.

Origin of steely

First recorded in 1500–10; steel + -y¹

steel·i·ness, noun

Its biggest asset, of course, is the steely Atwell, who never asks you to feel sorry for Carter despite all the sexism around her.

Marvel’s ‘Agent Carter’ Stomps on the Patriarchy |Melissa Leon |January 7, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
So, people sped by the models less out of puritanical deference to the naked bodies, but to keep up their steely reputations.

Naked on a New York Street—for Art |Emily Shire |September 16, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
With a soft smile and a shrug that belied by his steely eyes, he replied, “Start another.”

Masahiro Tanaka Is the Yankees' $155M Lethal Weapon and Strikeout Machine |Allen Barra |May 9, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
She's a steely ingenue, a fair-faced heroine, a leading lady.

Our Pop Culture Wish List for 2014 |Kevin Fallon |December 30, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

The only frosty point came when West asked what sex the Royal Baby was – Harry's steely look left the question unanswered.

How Dominic West Got Into Trouble With Prince Harry When He Asked Royal Baby Gender |Tom Sykes |November 7, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
There was a steely ring to her tones as she said the words, and the glance of her eyes was both cold and cruel.

For Gold or Soul? |Lurana W. Sheldon
Looking fixedly at her with his steely grey eyes he demanded the reason.

The Girl of the Golden West |David Belasco
Miss Jerusha's face did not relax a muscle as she kept her steely eyes fixed unwinkingly on that sad, downcast young face.

The Actress' Daughter |May Agnes Fleming
The Phantoms lids contracted and his eyes held a steely glitter as he looked down at the man in the chair.

The Gray Phantom |Herman Landon
The cold, steely, darkling sweep of desert had been transformed.

The Boy Scouts Book of Campfire Stories |Various