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 This, combined with the glacial pace of emissions reductions, gives the sense that key players are more interested in surviving what’s coming, rather than stopping it. — Stephanie Walton, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026 When glaciers retreat, the result can create glacial lakes prone to outburst floods and unstable slopes prone to landslides like Nepal experienced. — Tarun Gopalakrishnan, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026 Long, flat stretches of the trail covered by that glacial flour were no problem. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026 This ranges from rising average temperatures and glacial ice loss to sea level rise and worsening natural disasters. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 14 Sep. 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
  • Technology is at the heart of facials, especially, from a skin analysis machine and facial sculpting wand to a cryotherapy mask that was positively icy—but also awesome—at -4 degrees Fahrenheit.
    — Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The situation—his icy glare, the perfect framing—was a bit of stagecraft amid chaos.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • On a frigid but bright December morning, David Ellison, his top legal chief Makan Delrahim and coterie of executives took over a subterranean space in the New York City office of investment bank UBS.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The infamous flying-kick-head-butt challenge on Cobi Jones during the 2002 World Cup round of 16 was followed by a kung-fu-like kick on Tim Howard in the frigid Columbus air in World Cup qualifying in 2009.
    — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of frigid
Adjective
  • With that, Dorinda gathers everyone (except for Chanel Ayan, who is too beautiful for the cold) out into the freezing night for the fireworks that end this celebration.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The hot water gushing into an isolated region of the freezing depths could have attracted microorganisms and possibly other life forms that were otherwise struggling to survive.
    — Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of freezing
Adjective
  • The spa is set to open in mid-December and promises to have a range of treatments including massages, facials, and hot/cold therapy.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Concrete is rigid, cold, and dead; land is living and breathing.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • The 100% cotton waffle blanket is the perfect end-of-the-bed layer when the nights get chillier.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Chihuahua, Mexico Spring 1983 Filming out in the Chihuahuan Desert is actually chilly in the morning, but when the sun comes up, the heat is unreal.
    — Kyle Maclachlan, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of chilly
Adjective
  • Justin Sauers, the tower’s operator, opened a door in the cabin to greet Donnelly, releasing an arctic blast.
    — Robert Sullivan, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • His firm has been tracking worldwide advertising content for years, and it's seen a 30% to 40% increase in ad spend targeting warmer regions with arctic imagery.
    — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of arctic
Adjective
  • The group’s trademark sense of space, room for the sax, Sandman’s voice, and ear candy like acoustic guitar, echoey cymbals, and distant piano, and their uniquely chill sense of melody take cente rstage on the song.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The Asics Gel-SlowCush prioritizes comfort while being recommended for recovery runs, low-intensity training or merely chill jaunts.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of chill
Adjective
  • The hotel initially had an intimate oyster bar off its lobby, but that space is now a cool special events venue.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Expect to feel the winds shifting in Northern California Friday, and Saturday for Southern California, as cooler air finally sweeps in.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of cool

Browse Nearby Words

glabrous
glacial
glaciated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glacial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glacial. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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