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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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
All of these are considered nonverbal cold shoulder cues. Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold-shoulder
Verb
  • Ill passengers and crew were isolated, and medical staff collected stool samples for further analysis.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Seniors who are struggling with their health or are isolated after friends pass or move away can find assistance at either center by signing up with PACE, Jurgensen said.
    Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • The company must take the job listing down and reject all the candidates that applied.
    Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Two lower courts had already rejected the legal challenge by Democrat Josh Kaul, who argues that Musk’s offer violates a state law.
    Scott Bauer, Chicago Tribune, 31 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
  • The mom of one most notably cut her hair in January 2023, debuting a head-turning, blunt bob.
    Dayna Haffenden, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The Lakers forced the Warriors to turn the ball over after the ensuing inbounds pass, giving the Lakers an opportunity to cut their deficit to a single possession.
    Khobi Price, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 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 10 Apr. 2025.

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