1
as in freezing
having a low or subnormal temperature
the cold climate of the Yukon an unusually cold spring that was followed by a sweltering summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in icy
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling
the prisoners got only a cold stare when they tried to befriend the guard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in distant
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others
received a cold reception from the hostess
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in unconscious
having lost consciousness
the boxer was out cold for a few minutes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in dark
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the couple practiced a cold civility with each other, but they hadn't had a heart-to-heart talk in years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in fallen
no longer living
paramedics tried to revive him, but he was already cold
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in freeze
a weather condition marked by low temperatures
the cold will stay with us for another day, then temperatures should rise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in plain
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of cold
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 31 Mar. 2026
The idea of being a professional writer leaves me cold.
—Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
Staff Reports, Florida Times-Union, 24 Mar. 2026
If one of us sneezes, does everyone catch a cold?
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
This vanilla is cold-processed in small batches, which preserves more natural flavor.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cold
Adjective
The case then went cold for years, until a new book published earlier this year by Gilles Galloux, a former police investigator on the case.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 31 Mar. 2026
The idea of being a professional writer leaves me cold.
—Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
—Staff Reports, Florida Times-Union, 24 Mar. 2026
If one of us sneezes, does everyone catch a cold?
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Adverb
Unable to regulate their body temperature, a cold-stunned sea turtle becomes lethargic, stops swimming, and floats to the surface, where the wind and waves can push them to dangerous waters.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
This vanilla is cold-processed in small batches, which preserves more natural flavor.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold
Adjective
-
The compressor handles the energy-intensive freezing step during peak solar hours, when panels would otherwise throttle back or dump excess power.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Carrying his skimboard, which is like a cross between a boogie board and a surfboard, the University of South Florida freshman waited for the right moment to run into the waves, try some tricks and fall in the freezing water.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Ladytron willed themselves into existence some 25 years ago, writing their names in the residue of icy-hot heroes like Kraftwerk, Soft Cell, and Gina X.—
Jesse Dorris,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
-
This matter is the result of gases emitted by the Saturnian moons, particularly Enceladus, which is known to spray out icy plumes that originate from its subsurface ocean.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This film is about the government ordering the elderly to relocate to distant housing colonies to maximize economic productivity.—
Adam Bell
April 2,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
And to look at a distant, standardized class of object (most often type Ia supernovae) in the Universe that can be observed at a variety of distances to extrapolate how the Universe has expanded over the timespan that the light has traveled from those objects to our eyes.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Jose Guadalupe Ramos-Solano, a 52-year-old father and Los Angeles resident, died Wednesday, March 25 after being found unconscious and unresponsive inside the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, ICE officials stated in a news release.—
Ryanne Mena,
Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
One security officer was struck by the vehicle and briefly knocked unconscious but did not suffer life‑threatening injuries.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On the last night that anybody else reportedly saw Nancy, that camera caught a glimpse of a person clad in dark clothes, wearing gloves and a black balaclava, unidentifiable, standing at the threshold.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Not only did that article form the basis of the film, but Lumet actually took the note and cast Pacino in the role of that dark, thin fellow.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The armored one skirts stems, mushrooms, and sleeping crickets before sinking her mandibles into the fallen leaf of a hydrangea.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Clearly, the presence of sugar was no deterrent, as the dog appeared to have enthusiastically investigated the fallen bag, emerging with powdered evidence smeared across his face.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Leaders of Park Hill schools said the senior tax freeze led to a $1 million hit to the district’s budget.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
-
My carambola is severely damage by the freeze and full of dead leaves.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Not a lot of acts are going for broke right now, especially when plenty of musicians are just plain broke.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
Pitchfork,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Bread flour, whole wheat flour, all‑purpose white flour, masa, purple cornmeal, medium‑ground yellow cornmeal, plain fine cornmeal, semolina flour, barley flour, and sorghum flour.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
