cold 1 of 3

adjective

ˈkōld How to pronounce cold (audio)
Definition of coldnext
1
as in freezing
having a low or subnormal temperature the cold climate of the Yukon an unusually cold spring that was followed by a sweltering summer

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2
as in icy
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling the prisoners got only a cold stare when they tried to befriend the guard

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3
as in distant
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others received a cold reception from the hostess

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4
as in unconscious
having lost consciousness the boxer was out cold for a few minutes

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5
as in dark
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer the couple practiced a cold civility with each other, but they hadn't had a heart-to-heart talk in years

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6
as in fallen
no longer living paramedics tried to revive him, but he was already cold

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cold

2 of 3

noun

as in freeze
a weather condition marked by low temperatures the cold will stay with us for another day, then temperatures should rise

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cold

3 of 3

adverb

as in plain

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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 cold
Adjective
The case went cold after the remains could not be identified through the available technology of the time, which was primarily fingerprints and dental records. — Marc Anthony Lopez, ABC News, 29 July 2026 Lessons from managing extreme cold, floods, and hurricanes offer a blueprint for adaptation. — Nicole F. Roberts, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Noun
According to its manufacturer, the platform is engineered to operate reliably in harsh environments, including high-altitude regions up to 10,800 feet (3,300 meters) above sea level and areas with extreme cold. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026 The top and middle shelves are the best spots for cooked leftovers because those areas hold the most consistent cold and sit above any drip zone from raw meat or fish stored on lower shelves. — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 12 July 2026
Adverb
Tuesday will start out cold but turn milder by the afternoon, and the coming days will bring several chances of rain. — Joseph Dames, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026 The animals can recover from their cold-stunned state. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold
  1. freezing
  2. icy
  3. distant
  4. unconscious
  5. dark
  6. fallen
  7. freeze
  8. plain
Adjective
  • Above the freezing level, droplets become ice crystals whose collisions separate electrical charges, as in an ordinary thunderstorm.
    — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • Monarch caterpillars eat only milkweed, which grows best in cooler climates, but the butterflies can’t tolerate freezing temperatures.
    — Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
Definition of freezing
Adjective
  • These women of the W aren’t the only professional athletes to point out their icy relationship with their commissioner.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • For an additional pop of color, Cardi wore her hair in an icy blue bob that was parted to the side and curled under at the ends.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • Before January, nearly three-quarters of Venezuela’s crude exports headed to China, with the United States a distant second.
    — Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Until last week, those threats still felt like a distant risk.
    — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of distant
Adjective
  • Importantly, this is happening at an unconscious level, meaning that women aren’t necessarily purposefully excluded at work.
    — Melissa A. Wheeler, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Officers found Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and 8-month-old Callan unconscious.
    — Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of unconscious
Adjective
  • Their traditional decor centers around darker fabrics and pale wall coverings.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Her doctor advised her to stop clinical hyperpigmentation treatments for her dark spots and uneven skin tone as some ingredients could be unsafe to use while trying to conceive or during pregnancy.
    — Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • Crews remained at the scene to help the power company with the fallen pole, the department said.
    — Mark Price July 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026
  • Aemond finds himself at the mercy of the Harrenhal witch, Alys Rivers, while Aegon and Larys continue their misadventures near Rook’s Rest, where the fallen and crippled king must, for once, learn some humility.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of fallen
Noun
  • After an overnight freeze, all that’s left to do is slice and serve.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2026
  • The transfer freeze comes as the club’s owner, Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), moves to address a financial crisis at the club, whose debts now exceed 800 million riyals ($213 million), according to Arriyadiyah.
    — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of freeze
Adverb
  • Further, the most recent version of a Flyers black sweater was just plain ugly.
    — The Athletic NHL Staff, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • But the offers alone have flooded inboxes, making plain just how much of this newfound wealth still exists on paper, waiting for somewhere tangible to settle.
    — Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of plain

Phrases Containing cold

Browse Nearby Words

col
cold
cold-blooded
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Cite this Entry

“Cold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cold

Nglish: Translation of cold for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cold

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