as in to isolate
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely
cold-shouldered by his old friends after his family had lost all of its money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
at the party the two former friends consciously gave each other the cold shoulder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of cold-shoulder
Cyndy Etler, Hartford Courant, 28 July 2025
Many experts say that migration levels are mainly driven by economic and humanitarian emergencies in the source countries, with the official cold shoulder in destination countries having had little impact in deterring migrants.
—CNN Money, 26 June 2025
Sal feels every insult, every quip, and every cold shoulder from one of his kids.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2025
My first issue, in January, launched Nan Goldin’s campaign against the Sackler family for their role in the opioid epidemic, and this action has inspired cold shoulders from the philanthropic class.
—David Velasco, Harpers Magazine, 18 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Noun
The hugs stop and the arguments, the phone obsession, and the huffing cold shoulder starts.
—Cyndy Etler, Hartford Courant, 28 July 2025
Many experts say that migration levels are mainly driven by economic and humanitarian emergencies in the source countries, with the official cold shoulder in destination countries having had little impact in deterring migrants.
—CNN Money, 26 June 2025
Sal feels every insult, every quip, and every cold shoulder from one of his kids.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2025
My first issue, in January, launched Nan Goldin’s campaign against the Sackler family for their role in the opioid epidemic, and this action has inspired cold shoulders from the philanthropic class.
—David Velasco, Harpers Magazine, 18 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold-shoulder
Verb
-
Ever since graphene was first isolated, scientists have been exploring similar ultra-thin crystals for their unusual properties.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Finally, after a holding penalty on Ross erased Morris’ apparent 8-yard touchdown run, Kitchings dialed up a wheel route that isolated running back Xavier Brown on linebacker Elijah Herring.—
David Teel,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The dismissal represented an abrupt end to a case with little recent precedent in Alameda County.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
-
All of these cases ended with either dismissals or acquittals.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That doesn’t sound like someone who felt snubbed in any way, shape or form.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Trump had previously teased that Biden would be snubbed in his presidential gallery.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
Verb
-
Prosecutors also sought another charge of making false statements, court documents released Thursday show, but the grand jury rejected it.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
-
ByteDance and TikTok had challenged the law on First Amendment grounds but the Supreme Court rejected its appeal.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There was a unilateral rebuff toward the idea that the industry is experiencing a drummer shortage in general.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When your sugar mixture reaches 230°F, begin beating your egg whites to firm peak stage; egg whites will hold their shape but not quite to stiff peak stage.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Sep. 2025
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Symptoms progress to stiff neck and seizures, as well as cognitive symptoms, like confusion and hallucinations.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The 2-point conversion attempt failed, but the Packers cut the gap to 21-6.—
Frank Rajkowski,
Twin Cities,
27 Sep. 2025
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Stocks got some help from a report on inflation that suggested the Federal Reserve may be able to continue cutting interest rates.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cold-shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-shoulder. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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