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 This glacial loss will endanger water availability in the area, Huss said. — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 This, combined with the glacial pace of emissions reductions, gives the sense that key players are more interested in surviving what’s coming, rather than stopping it. — Stephanie Walton, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026 Long, flat stretches of the trail covered by that glacial flour were no problem. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026 This ranges from rising average temperatures and glacial ice loss to sea level rise and worsening natural disasters. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 14 Sep. 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
  • Available both in the restaurant and the cafe at All Mart’s entrance, this icy dessert has a floral cardamom flavor and a slight crunch from its dusting of pistachios.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • But there’s no icy chill to his vision, only the glib confidence that a feel-good montage or a piercing Anohni and the Johnsons ballad will blind us to his film’s lack of human connection.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • In any office environment that can range from boiling to frigid, smart layering is an absolute necessity.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 20 Oct. 2026
  • This unique trait has led planetary scientists to hypothesize that the asteroid formed in the frigid outer solar system and migrated inward early in the solar system's history.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of frigid
Adjective
  • Freeze Warning The stronger of the two alerts, this warning calls for sub-freezing temperatures dropping as low as 30 degrees.
    — Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • As a result, sudden freezing temperatures can cause materials to fracture easily.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of freezing
Adjective
  • The instigating weather system bringing the risk to the Southwest is an upper-level low — or a high altitude pocket of cold air, low pressure and spin.
    — Jamie Ross, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The case went cold until 2014, when Stockwell was located and interviewed by cold case detectives.
    — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • Unfortunately, getting electrons to cooperate in this fashion requires specific materials operating under some pretty chilly conditions.
    — Sven Badoux, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
  • An upper-level trough moving through the Northeast Friday will reinforce the chilly, dry air mass already in place, while strong high pressure builds in from Canada.
    — Kate Bilo, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of chilly
Adjective
  • Dropping in a light arctic gray and black colorway first, the sneaker is aesthetically defined by an abstract undulating design.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Justin Sauers, the tower’s operator, opened a door in the cabin to greet Donnelly, releasing an arctic blast.
    — Robert Sullivan, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of arctic
Adjective
  • The group’s trademark sense of space, room for the sax, Sandman’s voice, and ear candy like acoustic guitar, echoey cymbals, and distant piano, and their uniquely chill sense of melody take cente rstage on the song.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The Asics Gel-SlowCush prioritizes comfort while being recommended for recovery runs, low-intensity training or merely chill jaunts.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of chill
Adjective
  • On Monday, high temperatures won’t climb past the low 70s as a westerly breeze from the Delta carries cooler air inland to Sacramento.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be cloudy and cool, with highs topping out in the mid-60s and lower 70s, according to the weather service.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of cool

Browse Nearby Words

glabrous
glacial
glaciated
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Cite this Entry

“Glacial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glacial. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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