POLAR Synonyms: 125 Similar and Opposite Words

polar

adjective

ˈpō-lər

Definition of polar

as in contradictory

being as different as possible they're friends despite their polar positions on a number of issues

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in icy

having a low or subnormal temperature a polar air mass seemed to have settled over our area in January

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 polar Melting polar ice halts the North Atlantic Current, which moves warm ocean currents northeast across the Atlantic. — Peter Prengaman, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026 They’re covered in moisture-wicking polar fleece with memory foam footbeds and rubber soles for better traction. — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026 The effects would be especially disruptive in Antarctica, where observatories take advantage of the continent’s remote, dry conditions and the round-the-clock darkness of polar winter to study subtle signals such as the cosmic microwave background. — Arielle Frommer, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026 In 2009, a NASA probe deliberately crashed into the moon and struck water—at least 25 gallons of it—in the southern polar region. — Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for polar

Recent Examples of Synonyms for polar

Adjective

How’s an architect supposed to address these overlapping and contradictory rubrics, much less resolve them?

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026
Žižek’s hot takes and critical interpretations, on cinema and philosophy, are often counter-intuitive and seemingly contradictory, but never boring.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of contradictory

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

El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, or ENSO, one of the most powerful naturally occurring climate patterns on Earth, the WMO said.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
For more even distribution, apply half of the seed in one direction (for example, north-south) and the other half in the opposite direction (east-west).

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of opposite

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

Creating space for contrary evidence before authority anchors the room can widen what the group considers.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Volatility versus the stock’s weighting in the index Amid so many contrary forces, analysts and investors are anticipating a high degree of volatility and advising caution as hedging activity around the stock simmers.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 6 July 2026

Definition of contrary

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

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

poky

polar

polarity

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Polar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polar. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of polar

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on polar

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inexorable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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'?

Popular in Wordplay

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

Popular

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

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes