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
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Recent Examples of cold fish
That impulse extends to dealing with occasional rude customers at her day gig, where the coworkers are nice but the boss, family-business heir Maxwell Sterling (Peter Serafinowicz), is one nasty cold fish.
—
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 27 Nov. 2025
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
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
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 27 Nov. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold fish
Noun
-
The months that followed LaFaro’s death, in which Evans disappeared from public life, alternately feeding his heroin addiction or going cold turkey in an attempt to kick it, constitute the movie’s principal timeline.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
-
For California, radical reductions in spending would be the equivalent of going cold turkey.—
Jon Coupal,
Oc Register,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Once a bustling railroad and shipping hub, Cedar Key is now best known for its thriving clam industry and its Old Florida charm.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
One was for best zeppole (Felicia's in East Greenwich won) and best clam shack (Roy Boy's in North Kingstown won).—
Gail Ciampa,
The Providence Journal,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Snead, who has a history of finding productive receivers that others miss — among them Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua — is skeptical of the 40 as a measuring stick.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Doors or windows that stick or brickwork that cracks are early warning signs2.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Place iceberg into the salad bowl.—
Nancy Vienneau,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
-
What to expect More than 1,500 people died when the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic during its maiden voyage in April 1912.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cold fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold%20fish. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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