cold fish

as in cold turkey
a cold aloof person her husband is such a cold fish that I'm reluctant to have them over for dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples 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 cold fish Lancelot, still the Round Table’s greatest hero, is a bit of a cold fish with an unexpected role to play as the saga winds to its close. Elizabeth Hand, Washington Post, 16 July 2024 This emulsified mixture of garlic, olive oil and egg is a classic accompaniment to fish (especially cold fish). Domenica Marchetti, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Anxious people are hurt and damaged while avoidants are cold fishes. Vicky Spratt, refinery29.com, 17 Oct. 2023 The book also says the sauce is to be served with calf’s head or cold fish. G. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 27 July 2023 As Alfred Uhry’s book — also a Tony winner — relates, Leo, the manager of a pencil factory owned by Lucille’s uncle, is a misfit in Atlanta: a New York Jew but also a cold fish. Jesse Green, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2023 There would be plates of bright red tuna crudo, the cold fish drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt flakes. Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2022 Uncle Richard came round to the flat especially to reason with her, and reported back to Hilary that his niece was a funny sort of girl, bit of a cold fish, very set on her own ideas. Tessa Hadley, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2022 Each ticket comes with a 15-minute window for pickup, to avoid any risk of long lines and cold fish. Star Tribune, 25 Feb. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold fish
Noun
  • Rather than going cold turkey on nightly dinner dates, try scaling back to just weekends, then using Thursday nights to grab drinks with your college pals.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Even with his cold turkey approach, Ryan might not be an outlier.
    Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Most come for the gigantic whitefish and chips paired with homemade tartar sauce and the Carlsbad-style clam chowder, which packs a kick.
    Kaila Yu, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Owner Nathan Tran and family are also serving fish and chips and clam chowder for the old Quinn’s crowd.
    Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Instead of tying up Greig’s stick, Stanley pushed off of Greig and left him space to make his play.
    Murat Ates, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
  • Even seemingly harmless food like corn husks and celery sticks can mess with the garbage disposal because the strands can tangle around the blades.
    Julia Mitchem, Architectural Digest, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • After ten days of cruising Antarctic waters, dodging icebergs, and spotting elephant seals, the cruise’s 140 passengers could toss their Dramamine, catch a plane from the gravel runway at Frei Station research base, and fly straight back to Chile.
    Blair Braverman, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Dec. 2024
  • A couple in Scotchtown, New York spotted what turned out to be the tip of a fossil iceberg.
    Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 21 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near cold fish

Cite this Entry

“Cold fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold%20fish. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.

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!