silent treatment
noun
: an act of completely ignoring a person or thing by resort to silence especially as a means of expressing contempt or disapproval
Examples of silent treatment in a Sentence
ever since our run-in at the party she's been giving me the silent treatment
Recent Examples on the Web
Destructive silent treatment creates an imbalanced power dynamic in the relationship.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for silent treatment
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Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for silent treatment
Cite this Entry
“Silent treatment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silent%20treatment. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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