as in cold turkey
a cold aloof person
her husband is such a cold fish that I'm reluctant to have them over for dinner
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Recent Examples of cold fish
That impulse extends to dealing with occasional rude customers at her day gig, where the coworkers are nice but the boss, family-business heir Maxwell Sterling (Peter Serafinowicz), is one nasty cold fish.
—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
27 Nov. 2025
Lancelot, still the Round Table’s greatest hero, is a bit of a cold fish with an unexpected role to play as the saga winds to its close.
—
Elizabeth Hand,
Washington Post,
16 July 2024
This emulsified mixture of garlic, olive oil and egg is a classic accompaniment to fish (especially cold fish).
—
Domenica Marchetti,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Jan. 2024
Anxious people are hurt and damaged while avoidants are cold fishes.
—
Vicky Spratt,
refinery29.com,
17 Oct. 2023
There would be plates of bright red tuna crudo, the cold fish drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt flakes.
—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Aug. 2022
Uncle Richard came round to the flat especially to reason with her, and reported back to Hilary that his niece was a funny sort of girl, bit of a cold fish, very set on her own ideas.
—
Tessa Hadley,
The New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2022
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
27 Nov. 2025
Lancelot, still the Round Table’s greatest hero, is a bit of a cold fish with an unexpected role to play as the saga winds to its close.
—
Elizabeth Hand,
Washington Post,
16 July 2024
This emulsified mixture of garlic, olive oil and egg is a classic accompaniment to fish (especially cold fish).
—
Domenica Marchetti,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Jan. 2024
Anxious people are hurt and damaged while avoidants are cold fishes.
—
Vicky Spratt,
refinery29.com,
17 Oct. 2023
There would be plates of bright red tuna crudo, the cold fish drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt flakes.
—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Aug. 2022
Uncle Richard came round to the flat especially to reason with her, and reported back to Hilary that his niece was a funny sort of girl, bit of a cold fish, very set on her own ideas.
—
Tessa Hadley,
The New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold fish
Noun
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How to Reset Caffeine Tolerance Without Crashing If cold turkey sounds brutal, taper.
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The cleanest method is a gradual taper rather than going cold turkey.
Noun
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Artful pizzas go beyond margherita with varieties like a clam pie with funky lemons, confit shallots, and raclette mornay sauce, or a chilaquiles slice with chorizo.
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This National Historic Landmark on the Freedom Trail is lauded for its quintessential New England seafood, from fresh oysters to classic clam chowder.
Noun
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Still, Dennis’ shot made goalies find or rediscover religion, especially during the early days of unregulated stick curves.
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Another bears an image of a sheep Statue of Liberty holding a selfie stick instead of a torch.
Noun
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From May through September, long daylight hours also leave more time for kayaking among icebergs, exploring lava fields, horseback riding, geothermal pools, farm stops and wildlife sightings, from puffins to Icelandic horses.
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Oakleaf Lettuce Loose-leaf lettuce like oak leaf lettuce tends to cost considerably more than head lettuce such as iceberg because their production, harvesting, and packaging is more involved.
Cite this Entry
“Cold fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold%20fish. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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