icy

adjective

ˈī-sē How to pronounce icy (audio)
Definition of icynext
1
as in frigid
having a low or subnormal temperature an icy drink that was especially refreshing on that hot afternoon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cold
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling she wondered why the salesclerk at the boutique had given her an icy glare

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 icy The supermodel matched her unique wedding gown to her signature icy tresses during the Lake Orta ceremony in Italy. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 July 2026 The royal family's icy divide appears to be thawing, but experts caution that rebuilding trust will take much more than a single meeting. — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026 Cool, icy, and tangy, this blender dessert whirls buttermilk, ice, and honey into a sweet, frothy cloud of a frappe perfect for hot summer nights. — Anna Kovel, Martha Stewart, 10 July 2026 Alaska is a state of pure beauty—a vast, beautiful destination filled with icy fjords and snowy peaks. — Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for icy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for icy
  1. frigid
  2. cold
  3. freezing
  4. chilly
  5. chill
  6. cool
  7. brittle
  8. arctic
Adjective
  • The Falkland Islands, the English call the windswept, rocky outcrops in the frigid south Atlantic Ocean.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2026
  • In the first room, a hulking pair of Nazi overboots, used by German infantry to guard against frigid Russian winters during World War II, serves as the centerpiece of a display on the symbolism of footwear.
    — Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Definition of frigid
Adjective
  • Inspectors also noticed that cold foods were being held at incorrect temperatures, according to the report.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • Ceviche arrives bright and cold, sharpened by citrus, softened by fresh seafood, and lifted with herbs and heat.
    — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • If freezing temperatures are predicted, pick any ripe fruit and cover the trunks of young trees with burlap or newspaper to insulate them.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 July 2026
  • The injured climber couldn’t continue, forcing the pair to spend a freezing night on the mountain with limited supplies.
    — James Ward, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of freezing
Adjective
  • On a chilly afternoon in March 2018, two people were found slumped on a bench in an outdoor shopping complex in the city’s center.
    — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Warm, soft, and timeless, this full-zip hoodie is perfect for wearing on a chilly plane, then tossing in a suitcase after the flight.
    — Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026
Definition of chilly
Adjective
  • The 25, also non-chill filtered, is bottled at 47 percent ABV (94 proof), and that higher proof goes a long way to unlocking the flavor here.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 24 June 2026
  • It was bottled at 43% ABV and is non-chill filtered.
    — David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Definition of chill
Adjective
  • The fabric feels cool against my skin and never sticks or clings, even on warmer nights.
    — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
  • Of course, when training in heat and humidity, staying hydrated is critical as well as attempts to stay as cool as possible when training during hot temperatures.
    — Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of cool
Adjective
  • Maybe that's why, in a moment when the country feels eggshell brittle, riding has become such an essential outlet for me—a way to turn my rage into forward motion.
    — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
  • Containment actions should be proportional, reversible where possible and informed by multiple signals rather than a single brittle heuristic.
    — Abhik Biswas, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of brittle
Adjective
  • 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
  • The aching cold of that sub-arctic river was taking the horse’s strength.
    — Dolores Brown, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026
Definition of arctic

Browse Nearby Words

icons
icy
ID
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Icy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/icy. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on icy

Nglish: Translation of icy for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All