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Definition of coolnext
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as in downtown
slang keenly aware of and responsive to the latest developments especially in fashion and entertainment a Greek island that's the current favorite of the cool crowd

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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cool

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verb

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as in to chill
to cause to lose heat cool your drinks in the icy mountain stream

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to hush
to become still and orderly after the recess, tempers had cooled, and we could have a civil, rational discussion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cool

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noun

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word cool different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of cool are collected, composed, imperturbable, nonchalant, and unruffled. While all these words mean "free from agitation or excitement," cool may imply calmness, deliberateness, or dispassionateness.

kept a cool head

Where would collected be a reasonable alternative to cool?

The words collected and cool can be used in similar contexts, but collected implies a concentration of mind that eliminates distractions especially in moments of crisis.

the nurse stayed calm and collected

When is composed a more appropriate choice than cool?

While in some cases nearly identical to cool, composed implies freedom from agitation as a result of self-discipline or a sedate disposition.

the composed pianist gave a flawless concert

When can imperturbable be used instead of cool?

Although the words imperturbable and cool have much in common, imperturbable implies coolness or assurance even under severe provocation.

the speaker remained imperturbable despite the heckling

When is it sensible to use nonchalant instead of cool?

The meanings of nonchalant and cool largely overlap; however, nonchalant stresses an easy coolness of manner or casualness that suggests indifference or unconcern.

a nonchalant driver

When might unruffled be a better fit than cool?

In some situations, the words unruffled and cool are roughly equivalent. However, unruffled suggests apparent serenity and poise in the face of setbacks or in the midst of excitement.

harried but unruffled

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 cool
Adjective
The towels activate instantly with water -- just wet, wring, and shake for a refreshing cool, ideal for workouts, commutes, sports, dog walks or hot flashes. ABC News, 16 May 2026 Arguably, the colors are the best part—stand out from the crowds on the trail with this beige-and-pink combo or this cool gray-and-teal pair. Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
Verb
Wells Fargo initiates Madison Air Solutions as overweight Wells says Madison is a data center beneficiary in cooling. Michael Bloom, CNBC, 11 May 2026 Reducing the extreme cooling needs of quantum systems Instead of depending on ions, photons or synthetic atoms like many other quantum systems, Hanyuan-2 is built around neutral atom technology. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
Noun
As a result of losing his cool in a 10-3 loss and nailing Story, Valdez was suspended for six games, Major League Baseball announced Wednesday. Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026 Even Luke Skywalker dons a pair of beige Levi’s—transformed from a miner’s uniform into a symbol of rebellious cool by the likes of James Dean—to blend in with the desert sands of Tatooine, a former mining outpost. Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for cool
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cool
Adjective
  • Subtle stripe detailing on both the sweater and pant hems gives this knit set a cohesive, stylish edge—and a pop of color—sans sacrificing comfort.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
  • For wardrobe emergencies, try Roo’s Beach near Newquay, which specializes in stylish beach-to-bar clothing.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • The hotel is on a block next to a major road, but the noise is more of a distant city hum than a nuisance.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
  • The forces shaping our lives can often feel distant, abstract, and impossible to grasp — but through adventure, investigation, and deeply human storytelling, The Human Element inspires a sense of hope and connection.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • Your calm precision can keep the whole plan from wobbling.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026
  • The outset of war finds her wary yet calm, and our knowledge of her composure under siege means that all following emotional displays shake us like miniature earthquakes.
    Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • When occupancy is lower, the evening happy hour takes place in the lobby lounge, but does not skimp on the buffet spread of hot and cold items, enough for dinner for many people.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
  • Rebecca Montero’s lighting design and Steve Covey’s projection design helps define the many places Moses inhabits, shifting the mood and focus with subtle changes that suggest everything from cold, city streets to synagogues to the Berkshire woods.
    Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Adjective
  • Summer, for some, is the perfect excuse to sip icy dirty martinis on a city rooftop.
    Loren Savini, Allure, 14 May 2026
  • There’s been a fierce debate over the past two decades about the status of the distant icy world of Pluto after it was contentiously stripped of its planethood and reclassified as a dwarf planet.
    Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • Now that Time, Inc. and Condé Nast are both downtown, though, their surrounding neighborhood required great hotel bars for those with expense accounts and a story to tell.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The Royals want to be downtown, and it’s received much of their energy.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Australia’s awesome Alpha Wolf is on a world tour stopping in New Haven.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
  • This is right up my alley and the lineup was awesome.
    Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Cover tightly with a lid or plastic wrap and chill at least 45 minutes and up to 12 hours.
    Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 May 2026
  • The spiral of menace is breathtaking as Gary continues to dig them in deeper with his misplaced confidence and reckless moves, and a bone-chilling warning left in the dead of night forces Irwin to bring Hester up to date.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cool.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cool. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

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