as in dismissals
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
at the party the two former friends consciously gave each other the cold shoulder
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in isolates
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely
cold-shouldered by his old friends after his family had lost all of its money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cold shoulders
Alessandra Schade, Time, 5 Aug. 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
Noun
These rules were administered via cold shoulders and whispers.
—Alessandra Schade, Time, 5 Aug. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold shoulders
Noun
-
The prior pattern of dismissals had depleted the credibility stock below the threshold where policy shifts alone could restore confidence.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Further dismissals will include 12 members of custodial staff, 16 lunch aides, a warehouseman, a safety and security monitor, a director of communications and a discipline secretary.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Power Without Corruption Mission has used a high-quality and ultra-low-noise toroidal transformer for 778CDT’s internal power architecture, which isolates critical pathways.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Resentment brews in Agnes while Will isolates himself in London, trying to deal with his loss.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Unfortunately, a vocal political movement, on both right and left, rejects these values.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Feb. 2026
-
If the House rejects the plan or delays action, the shutdown could stretch beyond the weekend, though most appropriators still expect a relatively short closure given the bipartisan momentum before the deadline.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There were few major snubs but a handful of minor surprises.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2026
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The British Academy’s 2026 lineup of Film Awards nominees has no shortage of snubs and surprises.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If the Fed cuts its short-term rate too aggressively and is seen as doing so for political reasons, then Wall Street investors could sell Treasury bonds out of fear that inflation would rise.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
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The move effectively cuts the island off from key fuel sources and, according to community members, could worsen an already fragile humanitarian situation.—
Marybel Rodriguez,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cold shoulders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold%20shoulders. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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