gelid

adjective

ˈje-ləd How to pronounce gelid (audio)
Definition of gelidnext
1
as in icy
having a low or subnormal temperature the Titanic passengers could not long survive the gelid waters of the North Atlantic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in frigid
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling the judge listened with the gelid detachment of someone who had heard it all before

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 gelid Togo tirelessly led his pack most of the way, pushing the other dogs to ignore powerful headwinds, deep snow, uphill climbs and gelid temperatures. — David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025 Moss brought an uncanny, even creepy quality to the character which added to the show’s gelid mystique. — Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2022 Instead, most of its plasma comes from icy volcanism on Enceladus, a gelid moon that erupts water-ice slush from deep crevasses around its south pole. — Robin Andrews, Wired, 22 Feb. 2022 Settings range globally without fanfare, as do Krauss’s gelid portraits of modern arrangements. — Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2020 Admittedly, former commercials director Niccol is terrific at composing looks; however, an assemblage of glossy, gelid sequences does not necessarily add up to a satisfying cohesive film. — Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2019 Ungainly in looks, but a natural for work — each hoof a snowshoe, with hollow fur for warmth and to buoy them across gelid Arctic rivers. — Christopher Solomon, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2019 But other ailments that are either directly or tangentially related to the gelid weather have multiplied. — John Benson, cleveland.com, 4 Jan. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gelid
  1. icy
  2. frigid
  3. cold
  4. chilly
  5. freezing
  6. chill
  7. cool
Adjective
  • One constant is the promise of a sauna (and an icy plunge) at the end of the day.
    — Holden Frith, TheWeek, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Astronomers have witnessed a small, icy body that orbits the sun out beyond Jupiter transforming into a comet, providing a missing link between comets and inert bodies called centaurs.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • Evie felt Atlas’s side of the bed freeze, go stiff, as if frigid air had suddenly come along, causing his breath and all bodily functions to stop.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
  • There are frigid cryotherapy chambers, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and exorbitant supplements.
    — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of frigid
Adjective
  • The device also includes instant hot and cold under-eye contrast therapy, designed to combine clinical benefits with a spa-like feel.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Isaacson’s 2023 book left a lot of reviewers cold with its lack of criticism but still sold a gazillion copies.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • As the attractive secretary, she is forced to fend off not only Hart’s advances (with the cheery but firm dexterity of a woman with no alternative and many years of practice) but also the chilly scorn of her female colleagues.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • That first chilly day of the year means mice, stink bugs, Asian lady beetles and more become residents of your home.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of chilly
Adjective
  • In addition, Moscow continued its efforts to wreck the Ukrainian power grid before the freezing winter months.
    — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Small problems that seem insignificant now can quickly turn into costly repairs once fall rain, winter snow, ice and freezing temperatures put additional stress on your home.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of freezing
Adjective
  • Judd’s furniture asks you to admire it; Heilmann’s asks you to sit down and chill.
    — Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of chill
Adjective
  • Crews may benefit from slightly cooler temperatures in the days ahead, Gass said, and wind conditions are expected to remain fairly calm in both areas.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But this is largely a myth, concocted by critics and cool kids to explain away and undercut the popularity of their music.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of cool

Browse Nearby Words

gelds
gelid
gelidity
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Gelid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gelid. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
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

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

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

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

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
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
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All