steeply

steep steep [stiːp] adjective

1. steep prices, charges etc are unusually expensive:

• Consumers are paying relatively steep prices for dairy products.

• Anyone caught fiddling their expenses will face steep fines.

2. a steep increase or rise in something is a very big increase:

• There has been a steep decline in oil prices.

• a steep drop in consumer spending

— steeply adverb :

• The Australian dollar isn't likely to fall steeply.

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steeply UK US /ˈstiːpli/ adverb

► suddenly and by a large amount: rise/climb/increase steeply »

Companies are cutting back at a time when costs are rising steeply.

»

fall/drop/decline steeply