Steepening: meaning, definitions and examples

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steepening

 

[ ˈstiːpənɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

increasing angle

Steepening refers to the process of making something steeper, typically in relation to a slope, incline, or gradient. It can be used in various contexts, including geography, economics, or even figuratively to describe a situation becoming more intense. For instance, in geology, steepening can refer to the increase of a slope's angle due to erosion or other natural processes. In a metaphorical sense, steepening can describe a situation where challenges or difficulties are becoming more pronounced.

Synonyms

amplifying, increasing, intensifying.

Examples of usage

  • The hillside is steepening as the rain erodes the soil.
  • The steepening of interest rates can impact the economy significantly.
  • The path is steepening ahead, making the hike more challenging.

Translations

Translations of the word "steepening" in other languages:

🇵🇹 acentuação

🇮🇳 ढलान

🇩🇪 Steilheit

🇮🇩 kemiringan

🇺🇦 крутизна

🇵🇱 stromość

🇯🇵 急勾配

🇫🇷 pente

🇪🇸 pendiente

🇹🇷 eğim

🇰🇷 경사

🇸🇦 انحدار

🇨🇿 strmost

🇸🇰 strmosť

🇨🇳 陡峭

🇸🇮 strmina

🇮🇸 halla

🇰🇿 бұрыш

🇬🇪 მოწყვეტა

🇦🇿 dikinlik

🇲🇽 pendiente

Etymology

The term 'steepening' derives from the Old English word 'stiēpan', which means 'to rise or raise'. The word has evolved over centuries, finding its roots in Middle Dutch and similar Germanic languages where variations of the word carried meanings related to elevation or slope. In the context of physical geography, steepening describes a change in the angle of an incline, often due to natural processes such as erosion or tectonic activity. Over time, the term has found applications beyond geography, such as in finance, where steepening refers to the increase in the yield curve's gradient, indicating a variance in interest rates over different maturities. The adaptability of the word 'steepening' reflects broader themes of change and transformation across various fields.