as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
ever since our run-in at the party she's been giving me the silent treatment
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Recent Examples of silent treatment
In some practical ways, the show remains weighted toward Judas, as Christ gets a big standout number near the top of the second act, but then goes on to pretty much give Kings Herod and Pilate and the audience the strong, silent treatment after that.
—
Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2025
Brit greets everyone, including Kelli, who opts for the ever-mature silent treatment.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 22 June 2025
Modern nineteenth-century prisons in various parts of the world, including in the British empire, began to model their own prisons off of the Eastern State Penitentiary, instituting separate and silent treatments that suppressed language.
—Amir Hussain
june 6, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025
This silent treatment was later clarified to be part of McIlroy’s strategy to eliminate distractions.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for silent treatment
Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2025
Brit greets everyone, including Kelli, who opts for the ever-mature silent treatment.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 22 June 2025
Modern nineteenth-century prisons in various parts of the world, including in the British empire, began to model their own prisons off of the Eastern State Penitentiary, instituting separate and silent treatments that suppressed language.
—Amir Hussain
june 6, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025
This silent treatment was later clarified to be part of McIlroy’s strategy to eliminate distractions.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for silent treatment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silent treatment
Noun
-
Janssen’s dismissal flipped the script.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Bolton’s team is likely to seek dismissal or suppression of materials, arguing political motivation and lack of intent, while the Justice Department pushes to protect classified details.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
American distillers have gotten a costly cold shoulder from Canada, where their exports plunged 85% earlier this year — topping broad declines in key international markets amid global trade tensions, a spirits industry group said Monday.—
Joseph Hostetler,
Fortune,
7 Oct. 2025
-
In the real world, this would be a cue for some halting, awkward small talk, perhaps, or a passive-aggressive nod of acknowledgement, or just a simple cold shoulder.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The matter-of-fact rebuff feels very French, very Oklou.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
1 Oct. 2025
-
There was a unilateral rebuff toward the idea that the industry is experiencing a drummer shortage in general.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One day, doctors could produce blood fully compatible with a patient’s body, avoiding rejection risks.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Other university leaders are saying MIT's rejection of the deal opens the door for other institutions to make the same choice, rather than agree to deals like some of the Ivies have.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Silent treatment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silent%20treatment. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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