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
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Recent Examples of cold-shoulder
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
Over the next half decade, Biden cold-shouldered the Turkish government.
—Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025
Stories include a brick thrown through a home's window, slurs hurled at a public pool, middle fingers extended out of car windows, and an overall cold shoulder from neighbors.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Verb
Consignment stores rely on stocking items that feel current, so anything that screams a specific past era—think cold-shoulder tops or a bandage dress—isn’t likely to make the cut.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
Over the next half decade, Biden cold-shouldered the Turkish government.
—Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
In the real world, this would be a cue for some halting, awkward small talk, perhaps, or a passive-aggressive nod of acknowledgement, or just a simple cold shoulder.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025
Stories include a brick thrown through a home's window, slurs hurled at a public pool, middle fingers extended out of car windows, and an overall cold shoulder from neighbors.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold-shoulder
Verb
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Kurts told him about a recent immunology breakthrough where his team could isolate magnetic cells from rodent spleens.—
Kasha Patel,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
-
With the Valkyries pushing the ball up the floor, Jocytė got the ball isolated 1-on-1 with Fever star Caitlin Clark.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Hall heard oral arguments for the dismissal in April and has yet to issue a ruling.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
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At dismissal, Fridley Middle’s teachers and many support staff put on their jackets, scarves and gloves and walked outside.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Julia Stewart—a serial executive who has led operations across various billion-dollar American casual dining chains—once had a gratifying career moment after being snubbed for CEO.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
27 May 2026
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Trump snubs Cornyn amid retribution campaign The negative tenor could diminish turnout in an election already complicated by coming a day after Memorial Day, Texas Republican strategist Tyler Norris said.—
Thomas Beaumont,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Noun
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In the present, they’re awkwardly reunited for his brother’s destination wedding in Barcelona, following two years of mutual silent treatment.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
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Destructive silent treatment creates an imbalanced power dynamic in the relationship.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The court rejected Florida’s complaint that those states allow undocumented immigrants who lack training and are not proficient in English to drive commercial trucks.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
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Earlier this year, YouTube content creator Markiplier self-distributed his horror movie Iron Lung after numerous studios and distributors had rejected the project.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
26 May 2026
Noun
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Despite the Reina Sofía’s many refusals to lend the work to various institutions around the world, its rebuff of the Guggenheim’s request carries a particular sting because the Basque Country has long held that the painting belongs in the place where the depicted tragedy occurred.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
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The latest rebuff of state overreach was the dismissal last week of the highly questionable felony case against respected Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly brought by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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All of which brings us to a basic conclusion: implicit in their support for the IFPA’s implementation, Illinois business owners are making explicit their desire to stiff their workers.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2026
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Generally, my blowout starts to get limp and stiff around day three (despite sleeping in overnight blowout rods), but the week of my Cécred test, my mane still looked fresh-out-the-salon by day five.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The shortstop also rocketed a 441-foot, two-run home run off Giants right-hander Keaton Winn in the eighth to cut San Francisco’s lead to 4-3.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
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Based on 2026 opening day figures, eight teams would have to cut payroll to get under the cap.—
Ronald Blum,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cold-shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-shoulder. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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