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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of cold-eyed
Cats and dogs cold-eyed, so soon, so soon the dream over.
—
Chen Yuhong, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Yet, however eager the demonstrations of Denmark’s contribution and NATO’s collective goodwill may be, a more cold-eyed rationale may lie beneath their surface.
—Lisa Abend, Time, 18 Jan. 2026
The patriarch would like the ladies and Coleman to join him forthwith in Mexico; the letter’s bearer – a cold-eyed brute named Amos Turlow – will serve as guide.
—Erin Douglass, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Nov. 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
Chen Yuhong, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Yet, however eager the demonstrations of Denmark’s contribution and NATO’s collective goodwill may be, a more cold-eyed rationale may lie beneath their surface.
—Lisa Abend, Time, 18 Jan. 2026
The patriarch would like the ladies and Coleman to join him forthwith in Mexico; the letter’s bearer – a cold-eyed brute named Amos Turlow – will serve as guide.
—Erin Douglass, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Nov. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold-eyed
Adjective
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But also, the way that the hospice nurses are so compassionate and calm and present, but at the same time detached.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
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The number of days homes spent on the market dropped sharply, down 30% for attached homes and 40% for detached homes.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Creature repays the favor by using his strength to free the ship from its icy prison.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
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But the growing body of evidence — including its comet-like tail, gas jets and molecular composition — strongly indicates that the object is a natural icy body.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The prospects for a resumption of Gulf oil exports look distant, absent a major diplomatic or military breakthrough, after Iran reportedly started laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.—
Dominic Dudley,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
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After Phase 2 is complete, test-flights are expected to begin in early 2028, in the not-so-distant future.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The snowpack acts as a natural water storage system for California, and ideally when the region’s climate shifts from cold to warm and dry, the snow gradually melts down from rivers and creeks to fill reservoirs over a period of months.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Direct Sowing Outside This method is simple but must be done during fall to allow for natural cold stratification.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Breathable mesh accents keep your feet cool and dry all day, while the anti-microbial, anti-odor insole technology keeps everything extra fresh, even in sticky weather.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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As the name implies, this cool dessert is a true delight.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Whoever wins in November will fly to Sacramento to face the mess left behind by a governor departed for the frigid Iowa campaign hustings.—
John Seiler,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
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On a calm, frigid afternoon, Matthews showed me the array and pointed out that the aircraft radar was on, to make sure that no errant pilot tried to fly overhead.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The European social set descends on this Cape Town party spot every summer for its white sand and chilly blue water, as well as the trendy clubs and hotels that lie in the shadow of the Twelve Apostles mountain range.—
Melanie van Zyl,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Mar. 2026
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Spring is approaching, and the outdoors is starting to look inviting instead of dreary after a dark, chilly winter.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Despite its name, metallic glass is not brittle and can be stronger than steel.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Mar. 2026
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Today, the sky overhead is pale blue, and the leaves of the trees are light and brittle, falling now and then in golden flurries through the air when wind touches the branches.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cold-eyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-eyed. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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