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 Bi chooses Jude as his rival; Jude chooses the arctic wolf as their muse. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 July 2026 Pool 5’s relatively arctic conditions are designed to constrict blood vessels, which boosts endorphins and energy levels. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026 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 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
  • The most extreme is the outdoor pool with Lucerne’s lake water (untreated), a truly icy experience undertaken naked.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Billions of small rocky, icy bodies orbit the Sun out past Neptune.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • Team them with your favorite heeled booties and dressy blouse for a night out, or keep them cozy with a sweater and Uggs on a frigid day.
    — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The flexible modules survived thermal shock cycles from frigid lows to extreme heat and passed the rigorous IEC 63163 international stability standard.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of frigid
Adjective
  • Despite the freezing temperatures, agents confiscated the migrants’ coats and refused to give them blankets.
    — Francisco Cantú, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The beautiful, bright, and incredibly chic three-story abode leads up to a private roof terrace covered in pines with a freezing plunge pool at its center, and an unassuming wooden door that leads to a private sauna.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of freezing
Adjective
  • After starting in the middle of the night, candidates get about four hours of sleep over the next five days and complete tasks like carrying logs, launching boats into crashing waves, lying in cold ocean water and running around 200 miles.
    — James LaPorta, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Doing so before the plant is fully dormant can encourage new growth, which will be vulnerable to cold damage when cooler weather arrives.
    — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • Unfortunately, getting electrons to cooperate in this fashion requires specific materials operating under some pretty chilly conditions.
    — Sven Badoux, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
  • An upper-level trough moving through the Northeast Friday will reinforce the chilly, dry air mass already in place, while strong high pressure builds in from Canada.
    — Kate Bilo, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of chilly
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
  • Cardboard boxes and paper bags of food items being stored directly on floor of walk-in cooler and dry storage area.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Using tongs, immediately transfer to a large bowl of ice water and let cool.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of cool
Adjective
  • This indirectly influences the polar jet stream, a band of wind that circles the entire polar region in the troposphere—the lowest layer of the atmosphere, where most of our weather happens.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Antarctica Silversea’s first ship reimagined for polar pursuits, Silver Cloud strikes a commendable balance between expedition thrills and luxury amenities.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 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 7 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about arctic

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