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 Due to Silfra’s arctic water temperatures of 35 degrees Fahrenheit, we were required to wear warm thermals as our base layer. — Carinne Geil Botta, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026 In this case, the brutal arctic winds met Peter I Island, which spun them into these striking shapes. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 12 May 2026 The dogs are more reliable than machines would be in sub-arctic temperatures, the website further states. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 8 May 2026 The Icebreaker event has previously been teased with visuals of a large cargo ship stuck in arctic ice, and is thought to feature a new map that is similar to the Labyrinth event location. — Mike Stubbs, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 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
  • 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
  • Other produce like tomatoes have also had massive price increases because of a frigid winter combined with tariffs and diesel costs.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • McGinley photographed models cavorting naked (always naked) through sand dunes in the Mojave Desert and pine forests in Vermont, in a frigid ice cave in upstate New York and perched above a rushing waterfall in Tennessee.
    — Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 4 July 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
  • Keep your ride clean Over the life of owning a car, especially in colder areas, salt and road grime can dull paint and cause rust on the underbody of your vehicles, according to Consumer Reports.
    — Keith Laing, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • The clinical home ecosystem has become the defining phrase of the 2025 to 2026 wellness spending cycle, as buyers stack cold plunges, red light beds and neurotech into serious at-home recovery setups.
    — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 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 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
Adjective
  • According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service and the Copernicus Marine Service, global ocean temperatures outside the polar regions hit record levels on June 21, surpassing levels for the time of the year observed in both 2023 and 2024.
    — Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 1 July 2026
  • The agency also plans to seek proposals for additional commercial landers, technology demonstrations, a south polar imaging mission, and a communications relay network linking lunar assets with Earth.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 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 11 Jul. 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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