silent treatment
noun
: an act of completely ignoring a person or thing by resort to silence especially as a means of expressing contempt or disapproval
Examples of silent treatment in a Sentence
ever since our run-in at the party she's been giving me the silent treatment
Recent Examples on the Web
No spanking, humiliation, silent treatment, name calling, withholding of love and affection, or nonsensical punishments and consequences.
—
Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
After her husband retired, the disengagement, silent treatment and lack of support that characterized the relationship worsened.
—Abby Ellin, Washington Post, 1 July 2024
My partner is not physically abusive but checks a lot of other boxes: yelling, vicious anger, name-calling, silent treatments.
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
Instead, some of us learn to resort to cattiness, silent treatments, passive aggression, and the 'mean-girl' behaviours thought to be inherent to being female.
—Natalie Gil, refinery29.com, 11 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for silent treatment
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.
Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
After her husband retired, the disengagement, silent treatment and lack of support that characterized the relationship worsened.
—Abby Ellin, Washington Post, 1 July 2024
My partner is not physically abusive but checks a lot of other boxes: yelling, vicious anger, name-calling, silent treatments.
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
Instead, some of us learn to resort to cattiness, silent treatments, passive aggression, and the 'mean-girl' behaviours thought to be inherent to being female.
—Natalie Gil, refinery29.com, 11 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for silent treatment
Cite this Entry
“Silent treatment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silent%20treatment. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share