1
as in detached
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others
the attendant's cold-eyed stare discouraged any thoughts about having a conversation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in icy
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling
under the cold-eyed gaze of the director, I auditioned for the part
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 cold-eyed
These were acts of opportunism by a cold-eyed pragmatist.
—
James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Acknowledging this is cold-eyed realism; humiliating and undercutting an ally, perhaps with worse to come in the form of a sweetheart deal for Moscow, is not.
—The Editors, National Review, 20 Feb. 2025
These were acts of opportunism by a cold-eyed pragmatist.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Acknowledging this is cold-eyed realism; humiliating and undercutting an ally, perhaps with worse to come in the form of a sweetheart deal for Moscow, is not.
—The Editors, National Review, 20 Feb. 2025
That tense meeting of the Harris clan over Kamala’s career is a metaphor for a generation of idealists passing the torch to their more cold-eyed kids.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2024
Better, these analysts argue, to approach the rivalry in realpolitik terms—as a cold-eyed contest over power—and leave values to the side.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 16 Mar. 2021
Photo: Butch Dill/Associated Press For a political class that likes to think of itself as a hardened cadre of cold-eyed realists, the leadership of the Republican Party has indulged in comically wishful thinking about the most consequential figure in recent political history.
—Gerard Baker, WSJ, 7 Aug. 2023
But there’s no denying that his cold-eyed cost-benefit analysis was usually grounded in facts, however inconvenient.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 17 July 2023
James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Acknowledging this is cold-eyed realism; humiliating and undercutting an ally, perhaps with worse to come in the form of a sweetheart deal for Moscow, is not.
—The Editors, National Review, 20 Feb. 2025
These were acts of opportunism by a cold-eyed pragmatist.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Acknowledging this is cold-eyed realism; humiliating and undercutting an ally, perhaps with worse to come in the form of a sweetheart deal for Moscow, is not.
—The Editors, National Review, 20 Feb. 2025
That tense meeting of the Harris clan over Kamala’s career is a metaphor for a generation of idealists passing the torch to their more cold-eyed kids.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2024
Better, these analysts argue, to approach the rivalry in realpolitik terms—as a cold-eyed contest over power—and leave values to the side.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 16 Mar. 2021
Photo: Butch Dill/Associated Press For a political class that likes to think of itself as a hardened cadre of cold-eyed realists, the leadership of the Republican Party has indulged in comically wishful thinking about the most consequential figure in recent political history.
—Gerard Baker, WSJ, 7 Aug. 2023
But there’s no denying that his cold-eyed cost-benefit analysis was usually grounded in facts, however inconvenient.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 17 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold-eyed
Adjective
-
And, true to Hidden Hills’ equestrian roots, a detached horse stable stands ready to support an active lifestyle.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Someone Almost Killed Thing Before the identities of the Hyde and its master were revealed, someone stabbed Thing, the detached hand that is the Addams family’s companion, in the back and left him hanging in Wednesday’s room.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Gelato is very similar to ice cream, but only relies on milk instead of heavy cream for a slightly lighter, icier texture than traditional homemade ice cream.—
Erin Hooker,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 June 2025
-
Stock tip: Migrate to icier territories… Aston Villa 6/1 Last five results: WLWWW A two-goal deficit to overcome in the Champions League quarter-final return leg against Paris Saint-Germain next week likely spells the end of Villa’s European aspirations.—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And with their echo for an instant echoes of the first poetry in our lives come back like music that fades into the distant night.—
Gregory Jusdanis,
Literary Hub,
12 Aug. 2025
-
The future of regenerative medicine, once hypothetical and distant, now approaches with real hope for curing—not simply managing—a host of devastating chronic conditions.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Both surfaces are covered with exotic ices, and an understanding of their properties at the frigid temperatures on Pluto would be a key component of the mission.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
The room covered in white snow is kept at a frigid 10 to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, which honestly feels amazing after being in the Florida heat.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Police are making a plea to the public once again for help solving a cold case on the 14th anniversary of a couple being shot and killed in Norwalk.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
6 Aug. 2025
-
The Sanctuary wellness retreat will feature fitness studios, cold plunge pools, saunas and massage rooms.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Snowy, cold winter expected in Kentucky following historic 2025 weather While winter doesn't officially begin until the winter solstice on December 21, the Farmer's Almanac is already predicting a chilly, snowy season for much of the country, including Kentucky.—
Marina Johnson,
The Courier-Journal,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Plunging into the chilly waters off the western coast of Canada, a pair of scuba divers swam along the seafloor near an octopus.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s a moment in indie film right now where there’s a lot of cool films and theaters, and people are going, if not in huge numbers.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Allow to set-up to firm in cool place on kitchen counter or in refrigerator.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In the summertime, higher temperatures and exposure to the elements can leave hair dry, brittle, and prone to breakage.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Adding to Taiwan’s energy insecurity is the fact that its power grid, while cost-effective, is also brittle.—
Jim Ellis,
Foreign Affairs,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cold-eyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-eyed. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share