glacial

adjective

ˈglā-shəl How to pronounce glacial (audio)
Definition of glacialnext
1
as in icy
having a low or subnormal temperature a glacial weather front coming down from Canada will bring freezing temperatures this weekend

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in frigid
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling her glacial manner discouraged him from attempting further conversation

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 glacial The natural mineral water, which takes 15 years to filter through glacial rocks before flowing out of the tap, is not just a tourist trap but where locals come to fill up multiple bottles at a time. — Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 11 July 2026 While, sure, AI could eventually compress decades of scientific progress into years, biology’s inherent complexity and glacial timelines mean that future remains years away. — Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 6 July 2026 The valley floor is silt and loess left by the ice-age Missoula Floods, the glacial-lake megafloods that repeatedly drowned the region. — Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 The Knik River Valley has everything from glacial hikes to horseback rides and dog sledding. — Brandon Withrow, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for glacial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glacial
  1. icy
  2. frigid
  3. freezing
  4. cold
  5. chilly
  6. arctic
  7. chill
  8. cool
Adjective
  • These women of the W aren’t the only professional athletes to point out their icy relationship with their commissioner.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • For an additional pop of color, Cardi wore her hair in an icy blue bob that was parted to the side and curled under at the ends.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • Indeed, Russia’s mass barrages last winter of Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure – designed to keep Ukrainians cold, in the dark, and hopeless during the most frigid winter of recent years – are now being answered by Ukraine.
    — Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 28 July 2026
  • Though the frigid headmaster answers their questions about his wife and his own timeline without flair, his demeanor immediately puts Annie on edge.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 23 July 2026
Definition of frigid
Adjective
  • Above the freezing level, droplets become ice crystals whose collisions separate electrical charges, as in an ordinary thunderstorm.
    — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • Monarch caterpillars eat only milkweed, which grows best in cooler climates, but the butterflies can’t tolerate freezing temperatures.
    — Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
Definition of freezing
Adjective
  • It was instead caused by cold air plummeting to the ground from the upper levels of a passing thunderstorm, experts says.
    — Mark Price July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
  • For lunch, head outside to The Pocket pool bar and lounge for fish tacos and a cold beer.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • The chilliest option on this list, ice diving at Ultima Hotel Courchevel is a thrilling, health-boosting, and mood-enhancing water experience.
    — Rana Good, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
  • This weekend, daytime highs in Eureka will be in the mid-to-upper 60s — cooler even than San Francisco, so famed for its chilly summers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of chilly
Adjective
  • Bi chooses Jude as his rival; Jude chooses the arctic wolf as their muse.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 July 2026
  • Pool 5’s relatively arctic conditions are designed to constrict blood vessels, which boosts endorphins and energy levels.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
Definition of arctic
Adjective
  • According to the company, corn is sourced primarily within 100 miles of the distillery, and the whiskey receives minimal non-chill filtration before bottling.
    — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Make sure to choose an apple variety suited to your climate, as apples also need a certain number of chill hours to make fruit.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2026
Definition of chill
Adjective
  • Once a theater, this is now a center of cool with a restaurant, bar, and menswear shop.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Let the cake cool slightly, for about 15 minutes, before drizzling the pudding over the top.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of cool

Browse Nearby Words

glabrous
glacial
glaciated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glacial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glacial. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of glacial for Spanish Speakers

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