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
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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
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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 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
-
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 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
-
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
-
Partway up the trail, three penguins waddled past, entirely unbothered by the humans who stepped aside for them, and then belly-slid into the freezing water.—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
Tropical hibiscus should be brought indoors when temperatures drop below about 55 degrees, while cold-hardy types like Rose of Sharon can tolerate freezing temperatures and overwinter outdoors in zones 5 to 9.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Non-chill filtration adds a slightly oily, layered mouthfeel that carries both sweetness and spice.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
-
This whiskey was made from the same mashbill, aged for a full decade, and bottled at 100 proof without chill filtration to preserve maximum flavor.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
22 May 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
Cite this Entry
“Gelid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gelid. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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