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Definition of coolnext
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as in downtown
slang keenly aware of and responsive to the latest developments especially in fashion and entertainment a Greek island that's the current favorite of the cool crowd

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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cool

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verb

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as in to chill
to cause to lose heat cool your drinks in the icy mountain stream

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to hush
to become still and orderly after the recess, tempers had cooled, and we could have a civil, rational discussion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cool

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noun

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word cool different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of cool are collected, composed, imperturbable, nonchalant, and unruffled. While all these words mean "free from agitation or excitement," cool may imply calmness, deliberateness, or dispassionateness.

kept a cool head

Where would collected be a reasonable alternative to cool?

The words collected and cool can be used in similar contexts, but collected implies a concentration of mind that eliminates distractions especially in moments of crisis.

the nurse stayed calm and collected

When is composed a more appropriate choice than cool?

While in some cases nearly identical to cool, composed implies freedom from agitation as a result of self-discipline or a sedate disposition.

the composed pianist gave a flawless concert

When can imperturbable be used instead of cool?

Although the words imperturbable and cool have much in common, imperturbable implies coolness or assurance even under severe provocation.

the speaker remained imperturbable despite the heckling

When is it sensible to use nonchalant instead of cool?

The meanings of nonchalant and cool largely overlap; however, nonchalant stresses an easy coolness of manner or casualness that suggests indifference or unconcern.

a nonchalant driver

When might unruffled be a better fit than cool?

In some situations, the words unruffled and cool are roughly equivalent. However, unruffled suggests apparent serenity and poise in the face of setbacks or in the midst of excitement.

harried but unruffled

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 cool
Adjective
Keep your other food covered in dry, cool areas. Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026 People, products, presidential candidates — being called brat became the ultimate coronation of cool. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
After dipping items like strawberries or cookies into chocolate or icing, place them on a cooling rack to catch any extra coating. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026 Let the rolls cool on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes, then dive in while warm. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 2026
Noun
Burning marijuana scent blown away by the old-school cool of the cigars, Ferraris and Miami Vice threads of the Florida Panthers arriving at loanDepot Park. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026 Littler had to keep his cool on his journey to his third final in two years after losing the first set of the semi-final to 20th seed Ryan Searle on Friday. Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cool
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cool
Adjective
  • Decorated in neutral tones with yellow hues, the rooms are stylish, with clean lines, and large windows illuminating the space, accentuated by the bright open-plan bathrooms.
    Isabelle Kliger, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Its stylish decor and pulsating music create an ideal backdrop for dancing the night away.
    Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • In practice, the hand can grasp objects from both sides, detach to reach distant targets, collect multiple items sequentially, and securely reattach to its base.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 21 Jan. 2026
  • The pair spoke with PEOPLE in 2023, after reuniting for Good Burger 2, about rekindling their friendship after growing distant as adults.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The Minneapolis Police Department asked for the public to remain calm after Saturday's shooting.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 25 Jan. 2026
  • The police chief appealed for calm, both from the public and federal law enforcement.
    Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • But there is something cold and impersonal about assessing the moral gravity of human extinction in terms of the loss of wellbeing of all who would then not exist.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Wednesday in the Philadelphia region will be another brutally cold morning with lows in the teens in the city, reaching the single digits in many spots.
    Bill Kelly, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Viewer photos show empty shelves at Walmart and Target locations as shoppers plan for meals that don't require power, stock up on food for their kids, and prepare to avoid icy roads altogether.
    Nicole Nielsen, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Thousands of crashes and hundreds of fatalities happen each year on snowy or icy pavement.
    Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Almost everything on this list is directly downtown, with two or so things being a 10- to 15-minute drive away.
    Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 20 Dec. 2025
  • Bond Street, another restaurant in the center, has been downtown on Bond Street for 22 years.
    David Moin, Footwear News, 10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Although a recent visit to Palo Alto’s Taverna was lackluster except for the awesome outdoor décor and cute waiters, its sister ship in Portola Valley is absolutely lovely, and the food more in line with expectation.
    Laura Ness, Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2026
  • The first stop on this retrospective journey is the Cold War, a time marked by scientific breakthroughs that were both awesome and terrifying.
    Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Carefully add the liquids and stir for about 10 seconds to combine and begin to chill.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Hypothermia often begins with feeling chilled and shivering.
    Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cool.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cool. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.

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