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
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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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Recent Examples of cold-eyed
The setting, which changes from a blank Brutalism to a trailer-park-home installation suggesting one of Arnold’s cold-eyed dioramas, creates its own theatrical coup.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
In this sense, though Trump is impulsive and narcissistic while Sacks is cold-eyed and logical, they are well matched.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 4 May 2026
Played by a Colman Domingo who is done up to look the most wax figurine of them all in a shellacking of makeup, prosthetics, and colored contacts, Joe is always either giving an avaricious open-mouthed leer or a cold-eyed glare.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
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
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
In this sense, though Trump is impulsive and narcissistic while Sacks is cold-eyed and logical, they are well matched.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 4 May 2026
Played by a Colman Domingo who is done up to look the most wax figurine of them all in a shellacking of makeup, prosthetics, and colored contacts, Joe is always either giving an avaricious open-mouthed leer or a cold-eyed glare.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold-eyed
Adjective
-
Multiple reports have said Frogmore was two semi-detached homes before Queen Elizabeth gave it to her grandson, Harry, and his bride, Meghan, as a wedding present.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
-
In contrast to this ribald directness, Kokopeli’s playsets feature characters who appear detached and disconnected.—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
The actress’ hair was coiffed and pulled back with icy blond wisps to frame her face courtesy of hairstylist Rena Calhoun.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
-
That data is crucial to understanding and adapting to climate change and to a vast array of industries on land and at sea like aquaculture, shipping especially through icy waters, coastal tourism, agriculture and even navies, Le Traon said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The distant rumble of the Central line is a reminder that the real world lurks outside this cosseted haven.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Mom got in some distant cousin’s car within twenty minutes of arriving, which wasn’t surprising.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
The attentive staff carries complimentary sunscreen, cold towels, and mango juice shots straight to your lounge chair.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
At this point, the coffee that remains in their cups has gone cold, and our time is almost up.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
That guy selling records seems pretty cool.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
-
The dark spirit might be more commonly thought of as a cozy, cool-weather sipper or associated with booze-forward drinks served up, but there’s plenty of reason to enjoy it in the summer too, and this cocktail proves why.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
Swimmers die every summer in Colorado, as frigid water can make the body lock up in seconds.—
R. Scott Rappold,
Denver Post,
1 June 2026
-
The 17-pound sea turtle had convalesced at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island since being found near death in the frigid Cape Cod waters last November.—
Adam Van Brimmer,
AJC.com,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
The long hemline covers the lower back for most wearers, sealing out drafts on chilly planes.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
While their caps and gowns for the 1,160 seniors who were eligible to graduate kept out some of the chilly air, their family members in the stands were fired up with applause and cheers for students.—
Holly Andres,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
The oil nourishes weak and brittle strands, leaving them stronger and more moisturized.—
Jailynn Taylor,
InStyle,
1 June 2026
-
Underwatering causes the leaves to look dry and brittle.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cold-eyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-eyed. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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