the silent treatment
noun
: the act of ignoring someone because one is angry at him or her
Whenever she gets mad at me, she gives me the silent treatment.
Examples of the silent treatment in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For the uninitiated, the silent treatment is when a person intentionally refuses to communicate with you — or in some cases, even acknowledge you.
—
Jancee Dunn, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
This can show up as guilt-tripping, the silent treatment, love-bombing, gaslighting, coercion, criticizing, isolation, helplessness, and regression.
—Christina Pérez, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2025
Resorting to the silent treatment or emotionally withdrawing isn’t healthy either.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 13 Mar. 2025
Consider the silent treatment, where someone chooses to inflict pain by withholding their words.
—Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
So instead of drawing them closer, the silent treatment (and any accompanying eye rolls) has the opposite effect, leaving your partner confused, insecure, or worse: doubting your connection altogether.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 16 Oct. 2024
However, if the passive-aggressive leader is not working with a coach (or open to feedback) don’t expect the silent treatment to stop anytime soon.
—Chris Westfall, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024
The best ways to respond to the silent treatment
1.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 5 Sep. 2024
Secondly, those who pander to the stereotype of women being incredible communicators have clearly never endured a night of the silent treatment or a blazing row over who was supposed to take the bins out.
—Charlotte Moore, refinery29.com, 8 Mar. 2024
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.
Jancee Dunn, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
This can show up as guilt-tripping, the silent treatment, love-bombing, gaslighting, coercion, criticizing, isolation, helplessness, and regression.
—Christina Pérez, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2025
Resorting to the silent treatment or emotionally withdrawing isn’t healthy either.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 13 Mar. 2025
Consider the silent treatment, where someone chooses to inflict pain by withholding their words.
—Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
So instead of drawing them closer, the silent treatment (and any accompanying eye rolls) has the opposite effect, leaving your partner confused, insecure, or worse: doubting your connection altogether.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 16 Oct. 2024
However, if the passive-aggressive leader is not working with a coach (or open to feedback) don’t expect the silent treatment to stop anytime soon.
—Chris Westfall, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024
The best ways to respond to the silent treatment
1.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 5 Sep. 2024
Secondly, those who pander to the stereotype of women being incredible communicators have clearly never endured a night of the silent treatment or a blazing row over who was supposed to take the bins out.
—Charlotte Moore, refinery29.com, 8 Mar. 2024
Cite this Entry
“The silent treatment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20silent%20treatment. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share