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
Here’s why giving your kid the silent treatment is ‘one of the worst types of punishment’
Beth Greenfield
HealthBabies
RFK Jr. has ordered the FDA to review baby formula.
—
Sonya Collins, Fortune, 20 June 2025
Is the silent treatment a healthy form of communication?
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2025
Fitzpatrick giving Dolphins the silent treatment Fitzpatrick’s naturally a quiet person.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 July 2025
He was met with the silent treatment in jest before being celebrated heartily in the Royals’ dugout at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 22 June 2025
Owner Abby Treece, however, received the silent treatment.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Team members give the silent treatment instead of voicing concerns.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Since then, her sister has given her the silent treatment and taken to Facebook to air her grievances, prompting calls from other relatives and adding to the mother’s stress.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 30 May 2025
But, some companies are more likely to give you the silent treatment than others, and knowing how to spot the red flags early can save you unnecessary misery and stress.
—Adunola Adeshola, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
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Sonya Collins, Fortune, 20 June 2025
Is the silent treatment a healthy form of communication?
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2025
Fitzpatrick giving Dolphins the silent treatment Fitzpatrick’s naturally a quiet person.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 July 2025
He was met with the silent treatment in jest before being celebrated heartily in the Royals’ dugout at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 22 June 2025
Owner Abby Treece, however, received the silent treatment.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Team members give the silent treatment instead of voicing concerns.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Since then, her sister has given her the silent treatment and taken to Facebook to air her grievances, prompting calls from other relatives and adding to the mother’s stress.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 30 May 2025
But, some companies are more likely to give you the silent treatment than others, and knowing how to spot the red flags early can save you unnecessary misery and stress.
—Adunola Adeshola, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“The silent treatment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20silent%20treatment. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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