cold shoulder

noun

: intentionally cold or unsympathetic treatment
got the cold shoulder from an old friend
cold-shoulder transitive verb

Examples of cold shoulder in a Sentence

at the party the two former friends consciously gave each other the cold shoulder
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 Taiwanese confidence in direct military intervention against a hypothetical invasion by China is faltering as President Donald Trump turns a cold shoulder to Taiwan. Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025 Stories include a brick thrown through a home's window, slurs hurled at a public pool, middle fingers extended out of car windows, and an overall cold shoulder from neighbors. Cate Charron, IndyStar, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cold shoulder

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cold shoulder was in 1816

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cold shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold%20shoulder. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

cold shoulder

noun
: treatment that is purposely unfriendly
cold-shoulder verb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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