freeze out

verb

froze out; frozen out; freezing out; freezes out

transitive verb

: exclude

freeze-out

ˈfrēz-ˌau̇t 

noun

Synonyms

• ban
• bar
• close out
• count (out)
• debar
• eliminate
• except
• exclude
• rule out
• shut out

Examples of freeze out in a Sentence

a housing market that effectively freezes out people of moderate means

Recent Examples on the Web

The mere optioning of a book or article creates another piece of value: the breathless announcement of the deal in a trade publication, which might freeze out competitors. —Simon Van Zuylen-Wood, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

Further points of conflict include insisting on a contract renewal for Ferland Mendy when Perez didn't want him, and mishandling an underused Arda Guler who has been frozen out thus far in 2024/2025 despite showing signs of promise when afforded cameos in his maiden campaign. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024

How exactly Pluto has managed to keep its ocean from freezing out has scientists scratching their heads. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024

Moreover, these dark spots are often flanked by bright streaks, a product of winds flowing over the storms and freezing out methane ice crystals that glint. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

freezeout

1 of 2 noun

freeze·​out

ˈfrēz-ˌau̇t

: a corporate action (as a merger) taken by those in control of the corporation (as controlling shareholders or the board of directors) for the purpose of causing the minority shareholders to lose their equity in the corporation (as by the sale of their shares) compare squeezeout

freeze out

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to subject to a freezeout