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

Relevance

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 Researchers said glacial isostatic adjustment — the ongoing movement of land on which ice-age glaciers were once found — may or may not have had something to do with the quake. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 Despite letters being exchanged virtually, the pace was glacial. — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026 Federal legislation of social media has moved at a glacial pace. — Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026 Here, in a pristine clinic on the banks of an even more pristine glacial Austrian lake, illness is not simply bad luck that happens to you. — Jamie Timson, TheWeek, 24 July 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
  • Perseid shooting stars appear as Earth enters the debris trail cast off by the icy comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The Arctic, often seen as merely a remote, icy landscape, actually plays a central role in regulating the planet’s climate.
    — Daniel Peck, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • Then there is Chicago Bears fans, who pack the old, outdated Soldier Field, even in frigid temperatures, to watch a their team, despite years of futility.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Travis wound up in frigid Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of frigid
Adjective
  • The freezing-water memories apparently became something of a theme for the franchise.
    — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Elective egg freezing was considered experimental until about 2013, when freezing techniques improved.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of freezing
Adjective
  • The Port of Los Angeles forklift driver was wearing a life vest and was floating away, out to sea -- cold, worried about sharks and drowning.
    — Michele Gile, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In the last week, the park has experienced harsh winds and cold temperatures overnight.
    — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • As spring rolls into Idaho every year, the snow starts to melt and the chilly water flows down the mountains through soil and streams.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The breathable fabric and flexible styling means the skirt will be a no-brainer to reach for during the remaining hot days of summer as well as chilly fall nights.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of chilly
Adjective
  • His firm has been tracking worldwide advertising content for years, and it's seen a 30% to 40% increase in ad spend targeting warmer regions with arctic imagery.
    — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The lander, which touched down in the arctic plains of Mars known as Vastitas Borealis in May 2008, was designed to seek water ice below the surface and hunt organic molecules.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of arctic
Adjective
  • Older age statements, barrel-strength bottlings, non-chill filtration, single barrels, micro-batches and distinctive packaging led to sustained success in export markets like Japan and Europe.
    — Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 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
  • The Broderie Anglaise With a Transitional Jacket With fall’s cool breezes on the horizon, a transitional suede jacket brings depth—and texture—to everyone’s favorite nightie dress from Dôen.
    — Laura Jackson, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026
  • But the fans have treated me so well here, and to hear people cheering for that is cool.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 16 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 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on glacial

Nglish: Translation of glacial 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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
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
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All