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
Forecasters warned of poor visibility and icy road conditions, urging motorists to travel with extra food and water in case they became stranded.
—
Associated Press, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
The icy reception was caught on camera by The Guardian's Andrew Roth at a performance of the National Symphony Orchestra.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2025
These include planets and thousands of asteroids, comets, icy worlds beyond Pluto, and interstellar objects that occasionally transit through the Solar System.
—Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025
These surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for icy
Associated Press, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
The icy reception was caught on camera by The Guardian's Andrew Roth at a performance of the National Symphony Orchestra.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2025
These include planets and thousands of asteroids, comets, icy worlds beyond Pluto, and interstellar objects that occasionally transit through the Solar System.
—Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025
These surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for icy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for icy
Adjective
-
The boat capsized just before 3 p.m., tossing all ten occupants into the frigid waters of Lake Tahoe.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
27 June 2025
-
Preservation tools and techniques Surviving the area’s elements, particularly the long and frigid winters, is easier said than done, though.—
Paul Nicolaus,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Strategic commenting can lead to five-figure contracts without cold pitching.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
First, a quick refresher on freezing: The super cold temp—freezers should be set to zero degrees Fahrenheit or lower—stalls the growth of bacteria and other organisms.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Land O'Lakes recommends freezing sticks in their original carton.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
19 June 2025
-
Deadly cold front batters South Africa The freezing conditions brought floods and snowfall across the country, killing at least seven people.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
That’s still chilly, but remember the greenhouse effect: there is a lot of frozen methane and carbon dioxide on Pluto, so these ices can vaporize and possibly provide enough thermal retention to make the tiny world at least somewhat comfortable, if not exactly habitable.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
3 July 2025
-
On sale for $79, it can be worn on chilly flights, tossed over a dress on cooler evenings, or paired with leggings for a casual travel day look.—
Anne Taylor,
Travel + Leisure,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
While the small town of Kailua-Kona can be bustling during the summer months, the Big Island is typically chill.—
Will McGough,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
-
With nail trends being so chill over the last year or two—who knew nude nails would be so hot for so long?—those of us who were once confident DIYing our nail art may feel a bit out of practice these days.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
This keeps living spaces cooler and saves money, CEO of Green Doors Joseph Holman told the outlet, as air conditioning units don't have to work as hard to keep spaces chilled.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
6 July 2025
-
The floral prints just feel right everywhere, from the lavender fields of Provence to the vibrant streets of Lisbon, and the lightweight fabric keeps me cool in the hottest temperatures.—
Claire Gallam,
Travel + Leisure,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
Like a brittle leaf spiraling down a garden path, or the last cigarette passed between friends.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
5 July 2025
-
In extreme cold, the plastic frames can become brittle and break.—
Joyce Orlando,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Holland America is launching three new arctic journeys that span 14 days and allow cruisers to spot the northern lights, with ship-wide aurora alerts that let everyone know when the lights are visible.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
20 June 2025
-
Wolverine populations are distributed throughout boreal regions in the northern hemisphere, including arctic and subarctic regions and western North America, the Wolverine Foundation noted.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Icy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/icy. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share