cold shoulder

noun

: intentionally cold or unsympathetic treatment
got the cold shoulder from an old friend
cold-shoulder transitive verb

Examples of cold shoulder in a Sentence

at the party the two former friends consciously gave each other the cold shoulder
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to deepen ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin in May, turning a cold shoulder to the U.S. after Blinken flew to Beijing in a diplomatic gesture. Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024 Trump took this ideological variant of isolationism too far during his presidency, exhibiting a fondness for autocrats such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jung Un while giving a cold shoulder to the leaders of allied democracies. Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2024 Like many filmmakers before him, Christopher Nolan had to endure some cold shoulders and false starts in his relationship with Oscar, but he’ll be welcomed into the club with open arms. Nate Jones, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024 How likely, for example, are my wife and I to get back on speaking terms after giving each other a cold shoulder ever since the second Reagan administration? Bob Brody, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cold shoulder 

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cold shoulder was in 1816

Dictionary Entries Near cold shoulder

Cite this Entry

“Cold shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold%20shoulder. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

cold shoulder

noun
: treatment that is purposely unfriendly
cold-shoulder verb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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