cold-shoulder 1 of 2

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

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cold shoulder

2 of 2

noun

as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly at the party the two former friends consciously gave each other the cold shoulder

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of cold-shoulder
Noun
Sal feels every insult, every quip, and every cold shoulder from one of his kids. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2025 But the Rockies gave them a cold shoulder, losing 6-3 to the Athletics in 11 innings in a game that took 3 hours and 21 minutes. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2025 Listen to this article Who says the NCAA wants to give Denver a cold shoulder? Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2025 Worst of all, local and state government agencies have shown an increasing tendency to fend off public-records requests with barriers like unjustified fees or a simple cold shoulder, letting records requests lie dormant for weeks or months with no response. Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold-shoulder
Verb
  • The drop in attendance in California's Central Valley schools is not isolated.
    Kayla Jimenez, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The National Weather Service in Nashville said the region is at a slight risk, a two on the five-step scale, for damaging winds, isolated large hail, heavy rains, frequent lightning and a possible tornado.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Wilcox challenged the dismissal.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The hammer blow was last week's dismissal by the Constitutional Court of Thaksin's daughter and protege Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the sixth prime minister from or backed by the Shinawatra family to be removed by the military or judiciary.
    Panarat Thepgumpanat, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Unfortunately, the drama from Taylor Sheridan was snubbed by the Emmys this year, though Thornton did score a Golden Globe nomination for his role as Tommy.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
  • While the Irish Open was snubbed from this latest National Open status upgrade wave, the golf-mad nation’s key event remains a highlight on the DP World Tour calendar, with venues that as usual stir a bit of wanderlust among golf travelers.
    Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Campaigning for a job is stressful enough without unearned silent treatment from an organization someone’s pining for.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Several world leaders have already rejected the plan and insisted that the only solution is the creation of a Palestinian state once Hamas hands over the hostages and a new Palestinian government takes over.
    Michele Chabin, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Shi seemed confident that Strand Larsen, who was keen to join Newcastle United before the deadline, will knuckle down despite Wolves rejecting two bids.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Symptoms progress to stiff neck and seizures, as well as cognitive symptoms, like confusion and hallucinations.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • There was frost on the inside of the windows, clothes stiff on the floor.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Initially lined up outside, Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones quickly cut inside to beat the right tackle.
    Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
  • On the northeast of the fire, by Sugar Pine Mountain, crews worked in steep, inaccessible terrain to bring containment lines into the natural rock bluff, trying to cut the fire off south of the Wishon Reservoir for the protection of the critical hydroelectric infrastructure.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cold-shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-shoulder. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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