cold shoulder
noun
: intentionally cold or unsympathetic treatment
got the cold shoulder from an old friend
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
This cold shoulder mini comes in 25 colors, and offers a relaxed fit for easy wearing.
—
Cameron Jenkins, Good Housekeeping, 30 July 2023
EmRata’s sheer dress, in a warm light brown, has a cold shoulder detail (a 2023 version of a very 2016 trend).
—Carrie Wittmer, Glamour, 12 July 2023
This has the kind of star power and relatable storyline that could help the film break out at a time when indie films are getting a cold shoulder from moviegoers.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 Jan. 2023
Despite his cold shoulder to reporters, Biden did field questions from elementary school-age children of U.S. Embassy staffers after arriving in Dublin Wednesday.
—Teny Sahakian, Fox News, 13 Apr. 2023
Approval of the legislation, which would create legions of jobs and improve broadband, water supplies and other public works, whisked it to the desk of a president whose approval ratings have dropped and whose nervous party got a cold shoulder from voters in this week’s off-year elections.
—Alan Fram, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2021
Uh-oh—cold shoulder much?
—Tom Smyth, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2021
Approval of the bill, which promises to create many jobs and improve broadband, water supplies and other public works, sends it to the desk of a president whose approval ratings have dropped and whose party got a cold shoulder from voters in last week's off-year elections.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2021
Approval of the bill, which would create legions of jobs and improve broadband, water supplies and other public works, whisked it to the desk of a president whose approval ratings have dropped and whose nervous party got a cold shoulder from voters in this week’s off-year elections.
—Alan Fram, chicagotribune.com, 6 Nov. 2021
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Cameron Jenkins, Good Housekeeping, 30 July 2023
EmRata’s sheer dress, in a warm light brown, has a cold shoulder detail (a 2023 version of a very 2016 trend).
—Carrie Wittmer, Glamour, 12 July 2023
This has the kind of star power and relatable storyline that could help the film break out at a time when indie films are getting a cold shoulder from moviegoers.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 Jan. 2023
Despite his cold shoulder to reporters, Biden did field questions from elementary school-age children of U.S. Embassy staffers after arriving in Dublin Wednesday.
—Teny Sahakian, Fox News, 13 Apr. 2023
Approval of the legislation, which would create legions of jobs and improve broadband, water supplies and other public works, whisked it to the desk of a president whose approval ratings have dropped and whose nervous party got a cold shoulder from voters in this week’s off-year elections.
—Alan Fram, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2021
Uh-oh—cold shoulder much?
—Tom Smyth, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2021
Approval of the bill, which promises to create many jobs and improve broadband, water supplies and other public works, sends it to the desk of a president whose approval ratings have dropped and whose party got a cold shoulder from voters in last week's off-year elections.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2021
Approval of the bill, which would create legions of jobs and improve broadband, water supplies and other public works, whisked it to the desk of a president whose approval ratings have dropped and whose nervous party got a cold shoulder from voters in this week’s off-year elections.
—Alan Fram, chicagotribune.com, 6 Nov. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cold shoulder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1816, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near cold shoulder
Cite this Entry
“Cold shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold%20shoulder. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
cold shoulder
noun
: treatment that is purposely unfriendly
cold-shoulder
verb
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