as in icy
lacking kindness, sympathy, or sensitivity
She's a smart but coldhearted woman. a coldhearted criminal a coldhearted refusal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 coldhearted
The image of the mustache-twirling landlord as villain goes back at least to the Industrial Revolution, when popular culture made the role synonymous with coldhearted extraction from the poor.
—
Michael Friedrich, New York Times, 18 Oct. 2023
By the early ’90s, as hip-hop evolved from its upbeat dance origins to more coldhearted expressions, that shift threatened the careers of rappers who presented themselves as lovers.
—Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 6 Sep. 2023
Except that his equally coldhearted sister now threatens to take custody of her two beloved children, claiming that a single woman is no fit guardian for a young viscount.
—Olivia Waite, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2023
The biographer has succeeded in humanizing the public image of the coldhearted secret police chief.
—Kai Bird, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for coldhearted 
Michael Friedrich, New York Times, 18 Oct. 2023
By the early ’90s, as hip-hop evolved from its upbeat dance origins to more coldhearted expressions, that shift threatened the careers of rappers who presented themselves as lovers.
—Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 6 Sep. 2023
Except that his equally coldhearted sister now threatens to take custody of her two beloved children, claiming that a single woman is no fit guardian for a young viscount.
—Olivia Waite, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2023
The biographer has succeeded in humanizing the public image of the coldhearted secret police chief.
—Kai Bird, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for coldhearted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coldhearted
Adjective
-
Her makeup, too, was equally icy, with a metallic silvery-white shadow brushed under her brow as a highlight and dramatic black eyeliner winged all the way out to the outer corner of her brows, plus a pair of light blue-gray contacts enhanced by majorly fluttery, lush lashes.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
9 Dec. 2024
-
White cautioned those traveling north of Indianapolis this weekend, however, should be mindful of potentially snowier, icier road conditions.—
Christopher Cann,
The Indianapolis Star,
27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Snow, ice and frigid temperatures from Tuesday grounded hundreds of flights at Charlotte’s airport on Wednesday morning.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Most recently, my lack of preparation has left me with a minimal and worn-out rotation of winter travel clothes — a major dilemma, considering there are several weeks left of frigid temperatures ahead of me.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
But Posey’s first significant trade as president of baseball operations required a bit of a cold touch.—
Andrew Baggarly,
The Athletic,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Humpback whales have been known to swim 5,000 miles from tropical grounds to colder grounds for more productive feedings and usually eat small fish, straining huge amounts of water on their baleen plates, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacramento Bee,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Companies that once minted money selling baby formula to feed a baby boom are now making shakes with calcium and selenium for older adults with brittle bones.—
Alexandra Stevenson,
New York Times,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Unlike what many American children have been taught in schools, astronauts don’t actually eat that stuff, partly because the brittle crumbs could fly everywhere in space.—
Regina Kim,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Tickets are $20 for reserved seating, $20 for general admission, $15 for students.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2025
-
Should a third violation happen, the consequences become much steeper—a €45,000 fine (€180,000 in F1) and a six-month suspension from the reserved areas.—
Yara Elshebiny,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The husband suggested her friend should help with the bill, and the wife retaliated by calling him heartless and petty.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Their bravery and dedication to our community have ensured a joyous holiday season for our residents, especially the children who would have been affected by The Grinch's heartless actions.—
Andy Biggs,
Newsweek,
24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Despite Butcher's efforts, Homelander is grooming Ryan to be an uncaring, murderous Supe like himself.—
Gord Magill,
Newsweek,
22 Dec. 2024
-
And wearing a smile while delivering bad news, such as budget cuts or layoffs, makes a leader appear uncaring and out of touch.—
Carol Kinsey Goman, Ph.D.,
Forbes,
12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The story mirrors the original, following a fresh batch of desperate have-nots competing in elementary school games with a sizable fortune for the winners and pitiless execution for the losers.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
26 Dec. 2024
-
But rather than dilute the scare factor, the humor makes the sense of doom only more pitiless and Orlok’s plans for Ellen more spine-chilling.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
2 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near coldhearted
Cite this Entry
“Coldhearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coldhearted. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share