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
Exploration cruises On exploration cruises, programming centers on expert presentations relevant to the region, such as shark mating rituals in Oceania and glacial melt in Antarctica.
—
Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
Even up here, in this glacial valley, Nima is a celebrity.
—Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
The long-ago loss of ice and upward motions in West Antarctica also triggered massive rock avalanches and landslides in fractured, damaged rock, forming glacial valley walls and coastal cliffs.
—Keiji Horikawa, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025
The melting of the Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, Alaska, for instance, led to sudden glacial outbursts of water in recent years, causing devastating floods.
—Barbara Moran, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for glacial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glacial
Adjective
-
After years of enjoying her icy blonde hair, Ariana Grande has now taken it back to the basics.—
-
The sheriff's office said the road was subject to snowy and icy conditions at the time of the incident.—
Adjective
-
Zelenskyy said that Russia was aiming to take advantage of the frigid weather in the capital, which made roads and streets icy.—
-
Plunging directly in the frigid lake via holes carved in the ice.—
Adjective
-
Farther north, snow dusted Bologna and gave skiers in the Dolomites reason to cheer, though freezing temperatures are forecast for much of the north and central part of the peninsula over the coming days.—
-
Scenes from outside the federal building included opposing demonstrations, with some voicing support for Maduro and many others who bundled up in the freezing weather to applaud his arrest.—
Adjective
-
The slick material keeps chafing to a minimum during workouts, and the brushed inside is so soft against the skin and helps keep cold air out and your body heat in.—
-
The heating coils are wrapped tightly and distributed evenly throughout the throw, providing consistent warmth without noticeable cold spots.—
Adjective
-
Featuring an oversized cardigan paired with tapered pants, it can easily be paired with a simple tank top, T-shirt, or turtleneck when things get a bit chillier.—
-
The cotton-blend fabric is made for lightweight warmth to keep the cold at bay without heavy layers on chilly days.—
Adjective
-
After an unusually warm start to winter, a strong cold front from an arctic blast began sweeping through Texas Thursday and is bringing snow to some areas.—
-
Houston’s snowiest winter days have generally occurred after the passage of a strong cold front that deliver a blast of arctic air.—
Adjective
-
The vibe is chill and quiet, with an accompanying playlist.—
-
Use 2- to 2 1/2-inch star cookie cutters to cut out shapes, rerolling scraps as needed (if necessary, chill scraps before rerolling).—
Adjective
-
Having no cool aunt of my own and no elder sisters, just teenage babysitters and camp counselors (each with their own unique but tenuous grasp on anatomy and reproductive science), the book felt warm, inviting, and—perhaps most important to my terrified, bleeding, self—safe.—
-
The porous polymer coating that reflects up to 97 percent of sunlight and radiates heat into the air, keeping surfaces up to six degrees cooler than the surrounding air even under direct sun.—
Cite this Entry
“Glacial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glacial. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share