1
as in icy
having a low or subnormal temperature
the Titanic passengers could not long survive the gelid waters of the North Atlantic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in frigid
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling
the judge listened with the gelid detachment of someone who had heard it all before
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 gelid
Togo tirelessly led his pack most of the way, pushing the other dogs to ignore powerful headwinds, deep snow, uphill climbs and gelid temperatures.
—
David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025
Moss brought an uncanny, even creepy quality to the character which added to the show’s gelid mystique.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2022
Instead, most of its plasma comes from icy volcanism on Enceladus, a gelid moon that erupts water-ice slush from deep crevasses around its south pole.
—Robin Andrews, Wired, 22 Feb. 2022
Settings range globally without fanfare, as do Krauss’s gelid portraits of modern arrangements.
—Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2020
Admittedly, former commercials director Niccol is terrific at composing looks; however, an assemblage of glossy, gelid sequences does not necessarily add up to a satisfying cohesive film.
—Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2019
Ungainly in looks, but a natural for work — each hoof a snowshoe, with hollow fur for warmth and to buoy them across gelid Arctic rivers.
—Christopher Solomon, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2019
But other ailments that are either directly or tangentially related to the gelid weather have multiplied.
—John Benson, cleveland.com, 4 Jan. 2018
David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025
Moss brought an uncanny, even creepy quality to the character which added to the show’s gelid mystique.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2022
Instead, most of its plasma comes from icy volcanism on Enceladus, a gelid moon that erupts water-ice slush from deep crevasses around its south pole.
—Robin Andrews, Wired, 22 Feb. 2022
Settings range globally without fanfare, as do Krauss’s gelid portraits of modern arrangements.
—Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2020
Admittedly, former commercials director Niccol is terrific at composing looks; however, an assemblage of glossy, gelid sequences does not necessarily add up to a satisfying cohesive film.
—Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2019
Ungainly in looks, but a natural for work — each hoof a snowshoe, with hollow fur for warmth and to buoy them across gelid Arctic rivers.
—Christopher Solomon, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2019
But other ailments that are either directly or tangentially related to the gelid weather have multiplied.
—John Benson, cleveland.com, 4 Jan. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gelid
Adjective
-
The Creature repays the favor by using his strength to free the ship from its icy prison.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
The solid side features side-seam pockets that are perfect for keeping your hands warm on chilly days, while the tartan side features flap pockets to keep your phone, earbuds, and other small valuables secure.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Ahead of the chilly weather, conditions will be warm and sunny on Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14, according to the National Weather Service Fort Worth.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In other words, the salt layer acted like an extra boost to the freezing process, helping push Earth toward a deeper frozen state.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Mar. 2026
-
After this week, if no freezing temperatures are expected, plants can remain outside until transplanting.—
Holly McNamara,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Varieties of Blueberries Blueberry varieties differ in terms of how many chill hours (the number of hours in wintertime when your temperature is at or below 45°F) are needed to produce fruit, as well as the plant’s heat tolerance.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
12 Mar. 2026
-
How To Prune Blueberry Bushes Blueberries need a number of chill hours below 45ºF during dormancy to prompt new growth and flower development for next season.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
My mother was unusually quiet, not cold toward Chloe but certainly cool.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gelid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gelid. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
