as in cold turkey
a cold aloof person
her husband is such a cold fish that I'm reluctant to have them over for dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 cold fish
Lancelot, still the Round Table’s greatest hero, is a bit of a cold fish with an unexpected role to play as the saga winds to its close.
—
Elizabeth Hand, Washington Post, 16 July 2024
This emulsified mixture of garlic, olive oil and egg is a classic accompaniment to fish (especially cold fish).
—Domenica Marchetti, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Anxious people are hurt and damaged while avoidants are cold fishes.
—Vicky Spratt, refinery29.com, 17 Oct. 2023
The book also says the sauce is to be served with calf’s head or cold fish.
—G. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 27 July 2023
As Alfred Uhry’s book — also a Tony winner — relates, Leo, the manager of a pencil factory owned by Lucille’s uncle, is a misfit in Atlanta: a New York Jew but also a cold fish.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2023
There would be plates of bright red tuna crudo, the cold fish drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt flakes.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2022
Uncle Richard came round to the flat especially to reason with her, and reported back to Hilary that his niece was a funny sort of girl, bit of a cold fish, very set on her own ideas.
—Tessa Hadley, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2022
Each ticket comes with a 15-minute window for pickup, to avoid any risk of long lines and cold fish.
—Star Tribune, 25 Feb. 2021
Elizabeth Hand, Washington Post, 16 July 2024
This emulsified mixture of garlic, olive oil and egg is a classic accompaniment to fish (especially cold fish).
—Domenica Marchetti, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Anxious people are hurt and damaged while avoidants are cold fishes.
—Vicky Spratt, refinery29.com, 17 Oct. 2023
The book also says the sauce is to be served with calf’s head or cold fish.
—G. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 27 July 2023
As Alfred Uhry’s book — also a Tony winner — relates, Leo, the manager of a pencil factory owned by Lucille’s uncle, is a misfit in Atlanta: a New York Jew but also a cold fish.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2023
There would be plates of bright red tuna crudo, the cold fish drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt flakes.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2022
Uncle Richard came round to the flat especially to reason with her, and reported back to Hilary that his niece was a funny sort of girl, bit of a cold fish, very set on her own ideas.
—Tessa Hadley, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2022
Each ticket comes with a 15-minute window for pickup, to avoid any risk of long lines and cold fish.
—Star Tribune, 25 Feb. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold fish
Noun
-
No matter the continued risk of withdrawal symptoms, medications like methadone for those who are pregnant are still safer than quitting illicit fentanyl cold turkey, according to Davidson.—
Kate Bolduan,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2025
-
Going off the drugs cold turkey, as Parker Posey’s character does, could lead to dangerous withdrawal symptoms in real life.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This algae, some of it toxic, in turn becomes a food source for shellfish species including mussels, clams, oysters and scallops.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2025
-
While the clams likely reach restaurants by boat, getting to the 'fajã' on foot is a different story.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
The second set of changes worked out as McDavid banked a puck off McNabb’s stick and by Hill with 3:02 remaining in the third to tie the game.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
-
Archer’s jerky and meat sticks are sold at stadium concession stands, a satisfying development for Southern California native Kang.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
Just before midnight on April 14, 2012, the vessel sideswiped an iceberg.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The ship struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic at 11:40 p.m. the evening of April 14 at a speed of 20 knots and slipped below the surface at 2:20 a.m. the following morning, according to the National Museum of American History. More than 1,500 people died.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cold fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold%20fish. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share