thaw
/θɔː/
noun
- A period of warmer weather that melts ice and snow.
- The January thaw brought muddy roads and dripping icicles.
- The spring thaw caused the river to rise dangerously.
- We had a brief thaw in February, but winter returned quickly.
- A reduction in tension or hostility between people or groups.
- The family gathering saw a thaw in the long-standing feud.
- The diplomatic thaw between the nations led to new trade agreements.
- There was a noticeable thaw in their relationship after the apology.
verb
- To change from a frozen solid to a liquid or softer state as a result of warming.
- Leave the frozen chicken on the counter to thaw before cooking.
- If you don't thaw the meat properly, it may cook unevenly.
- The ice on the pond began to thaw as the sun grew stronger.
- To become friendlier, less formal, or less tense after a period of coldness or conflict.
- After their long argument, the two friends finally began to thaw toward each other.
- The tense meeting started to thaw when the manager cracked a joke.
- Relations between the two countries began to thaw after the peace talks.
Antonyms