arctic

adjective

ˈärk-tik How to pronounce arctic (audio)
Definition of arcticnext
1
as in icy
having a low or subnormal temperature the arctic air of deep winter

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in frigid
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling received the usual arctic reception from her in-laws at Thanksgiving

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 arctic 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 Snow was falling in Central Florida after a strong arctic front socked the region with three days of bitter cold, along with nearly an inch of snow. — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026 Seven forms of hyaluronic acid drench skin with hydration to offset the dryness mineral SPFs can sometimes leave behind, while echinacea and arctic root extracts keep excess sebum in check. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for arctic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arctic
  1. icy
  2. frigid
  3. freezing
  4. cold
  5. chilly
  6. chill
  7. cool
  8. polar
Adjective
  • He was last seen on a snow machine that broke through an icy river.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The Tropical Coco Fresca is a layered pineapple-watermelon agua fresca with chamoy lava Tajin® rim, paired with a scoop of icy coconut snow that melts into a creamy tropical explosion of flavors, sure to keep you cool in the Texas heat!
    — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • Roq Innovation Raquel Graham dreamed up NEKZ, a scarf alternative, when her children resisted wearing them during Chicago’s frigid winters.
    — Elaine Pofeldt, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • There are infrared heaters under the seating areas to keep fans comfortable in the frigid Buffalo winters.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of frigid
Adjective
  • Elective egg freezing was considered experimental until about 2013, when freezing techniques improved.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Some of them walked down a long path outside, and lowered themselves gingerly into the freezing waters of the fjord.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of freezing
Adjective
  • Health benefits Peppermint oil is widely used as pain relief, digestive aid and cold relief.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Eldridge’s home run, a solo shot, was the latest exhibition of his game-changing power, an opposite-field, 423-foot blast that cleared the left-center field fence on a cold San Francisco (50-70) night with feet to spare.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • This option is long enough to double as a blanket if the flight gets chilly after takeoff.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Quince’s cotton cashmere cardigan is ideal for chilly plane cabins and brisk evenings, and can easily be tied around your shoulders when the weather warms up.
    — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of chilly
Adjective
  • According to the company, corn is sourced primarily within 100 miles of the distillery, and the whiskey receives minimal non-chill filtration before bottling.
    — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Make sure to choose an apple variety suited to your climate, as apples also need a certain number of chill hours to make fruit.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2026
Definition of chill
Adjective
  • The bestselling Long Sleeve Mock Neck Top is an ultra-soft, feather-light, breathable, and cool to the touch flattering quarter zip style.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • One is cool, calm, collected, and joyful, while the other spews profanities and insults.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of cool
Adjective
  • Party directives call for greater Chinese influence over rules governing the oceans, polar regions, cyberspace, outer space, nuclear safety, anticorruption efforts, climate change, and international finance.
    — Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
  • An Antarctic polar blast swept across parts of New Zealand’s South Island on Tuesday, bringing snow to sea level and icy temperatures that forced road closures and disrupted schools.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of polar

Browse Nearby Words

arcs
arctic
ardency
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Cite this Entry

“Arctic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arctic. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on arctic

Nglish: Translation of arctic for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about arctic

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