glacial

adjective

ˈglā-shəl How to pronounce glacial (audio)
Definition of glacialnext
1
as in icy
having a low or subnormal temperature a glacial weather front coming down from Canada will bring freezing temperatures this weekend

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in frigid
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling her glacial manner discouraged him from attempting further conversation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 glacial As the second half went on, Canada looked to be the more likely side to score, though the South Africans had their chances despite slowing their attack down to a glacial pace. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 June 2026 Adam Sandler’s Click in song form—was overly glacial, until Gud’s sporadic bursts of ticking hi-hats hit like a downpour in the middle of a heatwave. — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 10 June 2026 Far from the bright lights of the Big Apple, this stretch of upstate charm is defined by 11 glacial lakes connected by meandering country roads. — Taryn White, USA Today, 29 June 2026 But faced with glacial progress on front lines in Ukraine, and with Russia’s defenses now dealing with drone attacks striking deep into its territory, Putin’s commitments to keep his war machine running are likely going nowhere. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for glacial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glacial
  1. icy
  2. frigid
  3. freezing
  4. cold
  5. chilly
  6. arctic
  7. chill
  8. cool
Adjective
  • Multiple moons in the outer solar system — Saturn's Enceladus and Jupiter's Europa, for example — host big liquid-water oceans beneath their icy shells.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 July 2026
  • From aqua suede to icy satin, from stilettos to ballet flats and beach-ready sandals, whatever your bridal style calls, for there’s a pair of blue shoes to match.
    — Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 2 July 2026
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • But experts say the optimal temperatures are far from frigid.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • But that’s not how exhaustion typically works during a seventeen-hour climb in frigid weather.
    — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Definition of frigid
Adjective
  • If freezing temperatures are predicted, pick any ripe fruit and cover the trunks of young trees with burlap or newspaper to insulate them.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 July 2026
  • The injured climber couldn’t continue, forcing the pair to spend a freezing night on the mountain with limited supplies.
    — James Ward, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of freezing
Adjective
  • Next to him, the waters of Lincoln’s Sinking Spring still ran cold.
    — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • If time doesn’t allow for spa treatments, a morning swim in the indoor pool accompanied by a sauna and cold plunge in one of their two thermal suites might suffice.
    — Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • Flemings, like Peterson a one-and-done player in college, had 14 points on chilly 4-of-16 shooting.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2026
  • Then the movie ended, and someone flicked the lights, and people wiped their faces and checked their apps and the door opened for a chilly evening breeze.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026
Definition of chilly
Adjective
  • The aching cold of that sub-arctic river was taking the horse’s strength.
    — Dolores Brown, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026
  • Havoc-type arctic chill beats for Wiki.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026
Definition of arctic
Adjective
  • The 25, also non-chill filtered, is bottled at 47 percent ABV (94 proof), and that higher proof goes a long way to unlocking the flavor here.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 24 June 2026
  • It was bottled at 43% ABV and is non-chill filtered.
    — David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Definition of chill
Adjective
  • The fabric feels cool against my skin and never sticks or clings, even on warmer nights.
    — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
  • Of course, when training in heat and humidity, staying hydrated is critical as well as attempts to stay as cool as possible when training during hot temperatures.
    — Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of cool

Browse Nearby Words

glabrous
glacial
glaciated
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Cite this Entry

“Glacial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glacial. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on glacial

Nglish: Translation of glacial for Spanish Speakers

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