thaw

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thaw" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the process of melting or warming something that is frozen, often in the context of food preparation or weather changes. Example: "Make sure to thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight before cooking it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even the November nuclear deal in Geneva with the so-called P5+1 can be seen as enhancing Iran's regional status to the detriment of Saudi Arabia, which has threatened to distance itself from the United States over the apparent Washington-Tehran thaw.

The Guardian

But after a couple of minutes came a thaw: "Your sincerity really comes across.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ammil is a Devon term for the thin film of ice that lacquers all leaves, twigs and grass blades when a freeze follows a partial thaw, and that in sunlight can cause a whole landscape to glitter.

The Guardian - Books

Today, Cuba is one of the most popular Caribbean destinations, with travel bans for its citizens lifted, economic reforms initiated, trade restrictions softened, and a thaw in relations with the US under way.

The Guardian - Music

It remains to be seen whether the cultural thaw will be followed by concrete policy decisions.

The Guardian

In Northamptonshire and East Anglia "to thaw" is to ungive.

The Guardian - Books

His open presence at the talks was made possible by the thaw in relations between Cuba and the United States, which lifted travel and business restrictions after more than 50 years.

The Guardian

The beauty of this variant surely has to do with the paradox of thaw figured as restraint or retention, and the wintry notion that cold, frost and snow might themselves be a form of gift – an addition to the landscape that will in time be subtracted by warmth.

The Guardian - Books

But either way, any thaw in relations between Turkey and Syria's Kurds will make it less awkward for America and other countries to pursue the joint battle against the jihadists.

The Economist

Andrew Cuomo of New York paid the first visit to Cuba by a US governor since a thaw in relations began in December.

The Economist

They include three titans JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley as well as two regional banks, three custodians and two credit-card issuers.The move was made possible by a recent market thaw that allowed relatively healthy banks to go on a capital-raising spree.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thaw" metaphorically to describe relationships or situations, ensure the context clearly indicates a previous state of coldness or rigidity that is now easing.

Common error

Avoid using "thaw" when the situation was never "frozen" or negative to begin with. Save the word for scenarios where a distinct prior tension or adversity existed that is now diminishing.

Linguistic Context

The word "thaw" functions primarily as a noun or a verb. As a noun, it signifies the process of melting or a period of warmer weather causing melting. As a verb, it describes the action of something melting or becoming less cold. Ludwig AI confirms that "thaw" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Books

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thaw" is a versatile term used both literally to describe melting and figuratively to represent the easing of tensions or improvements in a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is grammatically sound and frequently used. Predominantly found in news and media, its usage extends to literature and formal discourse. When using "thaw", remember its association with a prior state of coldness or rigidity, and avoid overuse in overly positive contexts. Consider alternatives like "easing of relations" or "softening" to capture nuances more precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

melting

Refers to the process of changing from a solid to a liquid state due to heat, similar to the primary meaning of "thaw".

defrosting

Specifically implies removing frost or ice, overlapping with "thaw" when dealing with frozen materials.

unfreezing

Directly opposes freezing, like "thaw", but emphasizes reversing the frozen state.

warming

Indicates a general increase in temperature, related to "thaw" as a condition causing melting.

easing of relations

Describes a reduction in tension or hostility, mirroring the figurative use of "thaw" for improved relationships.

softening

Suggests a decrease in rigidity or severity, akin to "thaw" when referring to non-physical states.

mitigation

Implies reducing the severity of something, aligning with the "thaw" of difficult circumstances.

amelioration

Suggests an improvement in conditions, comparable to the positive connotations of "thaw".

resolution

Indicates the solving of a problem, which may involve a figurative "thaw" in disagreements.

breakup

Describes the disintegration of ice or the end of a frozen state, a literal interpretation of "thaw".

FAQs

How can "thaw" be used in a sentence?

You can use "thaw" to describe the melting of ice, as in "The spring "thaw" caused flooding". It can also describe improving relations, such as "A "thaw" in diplomatic ties is expected".

What are some synonyms for "thaw" in the context of improving relations?

Alternatives to "thaw" when referring to improved relationships include "easing of relations", "softening", or "rapprochement" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "thaw" to describe a positive change in the economy?

Yes, you can use "thaw" metaphorically to describe the beginning of economic recovery after a recession, implying the economy was previously "frozen". For instance: "Economists are predicting a "thaw" in the job market soon".

What's the difference between "thaw" and "melt"?

"Melt" refers specifically to the physical process of a solid turning into a liquid due to heat. "Thaw" can refer to this process as well, but it can also be used metaphorically to describe the easing of tense relations or a generally positive change.