1
as in detached
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others
the attendant's cold-eyed stare discouraged any thoughts about having a conversation
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2
as in icy
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling
under the cold-eyed gaze of the director, I auditioned for the part
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Recent Examples of cold-eyed
These were acts of opportunism by a cold-eyed pragmatist.
—
James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Acknowledging this is cold-eyed realism; humiliating and undercutting an ally, perhaps with worse to come in the form of a sweetheart deal for Moscow, is not.
—The Editors, National Review, 20 Feb. 2025
These were acts of opportunism by a cold-eyed pragmatist.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Acknowledging this is cold-eyed realism; humiliating and undercutting an ally, perhaps with worse to come in the form of a sweetheart deal for Moscow, is not.
—The Editors, National Review, 20 Feb. 2025
That tense meeting of the Harris clan over Kamala’s career is a metaphor for a generation of idealists passing the torch to their more cold-eyed kids.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2024
Better, these analysts argue, to approach the rivalry in realpolitik terms—as a cold-eyed contest over power—and leave values to the side.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 16 Mar. 2021
Photo: Butch Dill/Associated Press For a political class that likes to think of itself as a hardened cadre of cold-eyed realists, the leadership of the Republican Party has indulged in comically wishful thinking about the most consequential figure in recent political history.
—Gerard Baker, WSJ, 7 Aug. 2023
But there’s no denying that his cold-eyed cost-benefit analysis was usually grounded in facts, however inconvenient.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 17 July 2023
James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Acknowledging this is cold-eyed realism; humiliating and undercutting an ally, perhaps with worse to come in the form of a sweetheart deal for Moscow, is not.
—The Editors, National Review, 20 Feb. 2025
These were acts of opportunism by a cold-eyed pragmatist.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Acknowledging this is cold-eyed realism; humiliating and undercutting an ally, perhaps with worse to come in the form of a sweetheart deal for Moscow, is not.
—The Editors, National Review, 20 Feb. 2025
That tense meeting of the Harris clan over Kamala’s career is a metaphor for a generation of idealists passing the torch to their more cold-eyed kids.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2024
Better, these analysts argue, to approach the rivalry in realpolitik terms—as a cold-eyed contest over power—and leave values to the side.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 16 Mar. 2021
Photo: Butch Dill/Associated Press For a political class that likes to think of itself as a hardened cadre of cold-eyed realists, the leadership of the Republican Party has indulged in comically wishful thinking about the most consequential figure in recent political history.
—Gerard Baker, WSJ, 7 Aug. 2023
But there’s no denying that his cold-eyed cost-benefit analysis was usually grounded in facts, however inconvenient.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 17 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold-eyed
Adjective
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Investigators at the scene found the housing to a side view mirror, a front driver’s side bumper component and a detached front driver’s side wheel trim.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
19 May 2025
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Cooking was done in a detached cookhouse, which also is open for viewing.—
Amy Bentley,
Oc Register,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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Stock tip: Migrate to icier territories… Aston Villa 6/1 Last five results: WLWWW A two-goal deficit to overcome in the Champions League quarter-final return leg against Paris Saint-Germain next week likely spells the end of Villa’s European aspirations.—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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The relationship between Ye and Cole has been icy for some time.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The trick was to keep them distant and yet connected, and find ways to not make the audience wait to see their chemistry, because the John Corbett and Sarah Jessica Parker chemistry is undeniable and a gift.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
29 May 2025
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Within 23 hours, the signals will be as far from Earth as NASA’s Voyager 1, the world’s most distant spacecraft at more than 15 billion miles in interstellar space.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Other parks, such as Denali and Wrangell–St. Elias in Alaska, are much easier to access and far less frigid in summer.—
Chloe Arrojado,
AFAR Media,
21 May 2025
-
When older cinematographer Otto Heller (The Ladykillers, Alfie) refused to take a medical exam to be insured for Billion Dollar Brain, which was going to be filmed in frigid Finland, producer Harry Saltzman turned to Williams, who had done commercials for Russell.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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Following a horrific incident that destroys what’s left of his emotional stability, he is assigned to a high-profile cold case that forces him to confront his inadequacies.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
29 May 2025
-
The Thursday Murder Club, based on Richard Osman’s novel of the same name, follows four retirees — Elizabeth (Helen Mirren), Ron (Pierce Brosnan), Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley) and Joyce (Celia Imrie) — who solve cold case murders for fun.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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During chilly morning boat excursions, hot water bottles appeared on our seats.—
Regan Stephens,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2025
-
Listen to this article A small group, most wearing light jackets in the chilly May evening, gathered in prayer outside the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City Monday night just hours before Benjamin Ritchie was executed by lethal injection.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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Other options that will keep you cool yet still looking polished this summer are a pair of pleated shorts from Quince or a linen-blend pair of Bermuda shorts from Mango. Wide-leg Jeans Jeans might seem like a surprising addition to a summer packing list, but a loose, wide-leg pair makes sense.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2025
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Old towels cut up into rags do a great job of removing this soft flux once the copper pipe is cool enough to touch.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Trump’s approach appeared to be built on an assumption that China’s economy was brittle, and Beijing would buckle under pressure.—
Ryan Hass,
Time,
30 May 2025
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In more recent editions, the bedrock was described as brittle by many experienced climbers and mountain guides.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cold-eyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-eyed. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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