freeze out

verb

froze out; frozen out; freezing out; freezes out

transitive verb

: exclude

freeze-out

ˈfrēz-ˌau̇t 

noun

Synonyms of freeze out

• exclude
• ban
• eliminate
• shut out
• bar
• prevent
• rule out

Examples of freeze out in a Sentence

a housing market that effectively freezes out people of moderate means

Recent Examples on the Web

Crespo told us that, yes indeed, he’s still frozen out of the caucus. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

The club have also listened to concerns expressed by fans about the next generation of supporters being frozen out, by reintroducing the ‘young adult’ category of season ticket for those aged 18-21. —Paul Taylor, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026

Who and the songwriting duo behind all the classics — were completely frozen out and had to hopelessly watch from the sidelines. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026

The Mavericks were coming off a brutal six-game, 11-day road trip that concluded with them being frozen out of being able to fly to Brooklyn until hours before a 123-114 victory. —Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for freeze out

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout

Legal Definition

freezeout

1 of 2 noun

freeze·​out

ˈfrēz-ˌau̇t

: a corporate action (as a merger) taken by those in control of the corporation (as controlling shareholders or the board of directors) for the purpose of causing the minority shareholders to lose their equity in the corporation (as by the sale of their shares) compare squeezeout

freeze out

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to subject to a freezeout