" steeply "

1: as in sharply, acutely;

•  Synonyms : 

•  acutely,

•  sharply,

•  abruptly,

•  suddenly,

•  hastily,

•  precipitously

•  Antonyms : 

•  gradationally,

•  gradually,

•  inchmeal,

•  little by little,

•  piece by piece,

•  piecemeal,

•  hierarchically,

•  crescively,

•  increasingly,

•  progressively

1: having an incline approaching the perpendicular;

  * e.g., " ... a very steep rock face that is nearly impossible to climb "

•  Synonyms : 

•  abrupt,

•  bold,

•  precipitous,

•  sheer

•  Antonyms : 

•  easy

2: going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount;

  * e.g., " ... we would like to hire him, but his salary demands are just too steep "

•  Synonyms : 

•  baroque,

•  devilish,

•  excessive,

•  exorbitant,

•  extravagant,

•  extreme,

•  fancy,

•  immoderate,

•  inordinate,

•  insane,

•  intolerable,

•  lavish,

•  over-the-top,

•  overdue,

•  overextravagant,

•  overmuch,

•  overweening,

•  plethoric,

•  stiff,

•  towering,

•  unconscionable,

•  undue,

•  unmerciful

•  Antonyms : 

•  middling,

•  moderate,

•  modest,

•  reasonable,

•  temperate