cold-shoulder 1 of 2

as in to isolate
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely cold-shouldered by his old friends after his family had lost all of its money

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cold shoulder

2 of 2

noun

as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly at the party the two former friends consciously gave each other the cold shoulder

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of cold-shoulder
Noun
And contrary to what Tyler might hope, neither would an American cold shoulder, which would only entrench Israeli hawks -- as Eisenhower's distant approach to Israel did to the hard-liners of Ben-Gurion's generation. Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2013 Apparently undeterred by Greenland and Denmark's cold shoulder, Trump announced Monday that his son Donald Trump Jr. was making an impromptu visit to the island. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025 But a year ago, the veteran, who was draft pick in 2009, turned a cold shoulder to the Bronx Bombers, choosing to return to the Dodgers. Jon Vankin, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025 Constituencies that seemed tailored to endorse Carter gave him a cold shoulder. Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold-shoulder
Verb
  • Series two, like its predecessor, suggests that a balanced approach is not about completely isolating work from life, but rather about establishing a dynamic interplay between the two.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • This has hallmarks of emotional abuse – non-physical behaviors meant to isolate, control and frighten.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Anti-SLAPP laws are statutes that provide a substantive right of a person to an early dismissal of causes of action brought against them with the effect of silencing or punishing their First Amendment (and corresponding state constitutional) rights to freedom of speech and to petition.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Strickland also revealed that other WWE personnel had informed him this member had generated significant backstage heat, likely contributing to their collective dismissal.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Despite picking up album of the year and best country album for Cowboy Carter at the 2025 Grammys, Beyoncé has been snubbed by a country music awards program… again.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Following the speech, Vance met privately with AfD leader Alice Weidel, snubbing the German chancellor.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • No guilt-tripping, no last-minute attempts to change your mind, no silent treatment later on.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • No spanking, humiliation, silent treatment, name calling, withholding of love and affection, or nonsensical punishments and consequences.
    Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
Verb
  • Supreme Court Justice Roberts rejects Trump’s call for impeaching a judge who ruled against his deportation plans.
    Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The Florida Supreme Court and a federal appeals court each rejected appeals to delay James' execution.
    Landon Mion, Fox News, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But the administration's efforts to abolish federal agencies authorized by Congress are likely to meet the same fate as their attempts to stiff USAID contractors.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Bill is a great character, all stiff back and prissiness.
    Laurie Hertzel, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Pitino pulled star wing RJ Luis out of the lineup after making two free throws to cut Arkansas’ lead to two points with less than five minutes to play.
    Brendan Quinn, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Will cutting sustainability contribute to losing trust with employees, consumers, and communities?
    Paul Klein, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Known for unmercifully calling out machismo through her music, Paquita became a guiding light for many women who have been wronged or slighted by their partners, or a patriarchal world.
    KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Each man feels insulted and slighted by the other; both have cause for resentment.
    Rachel Hadas, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cold-shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-shoulder. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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