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
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The number of criminal case dismissed amid the ongoing bar advocate work stoppage surpassed 1,500 with another surge of dismissals this week, according to trial court records.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
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Continue reading … COACHING CAROUSEL – Former Alabama coach Nick Saban blamed the current landscape of college football for the dismissals of Billy Napier, James Franklin and others.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With key figures like Governor KathyHochul and Speaker of the New York State Assembly Carl Heastie already on board, Jeffries’ endorsement isolates remaining holdouts and underscores the growing influence of Democratic socialists in mainstream politics.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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By holding the form constant, Celmins isolates the matter.—
Harmon Siegel,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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If Giolito rejects the offer and signs with another team, the Red Sox would receive a draft pick after the fourth round as compensation.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
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The business software maker on Wednesday unveiled an optimistic, multiyear financial roadmap that rejects the sluggish-growth narrative that has been dogging the stock.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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There’s a particular kind of Oscar-season tragedy that has nothing to do with surprise snubs.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
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For our full breakdown of the 2025 Emmys — including Kristen's thoughts on the best and worst moments of the ceremony, more analysis on those snubs and surprises, and more — listen to the full episode of The Awardist podcast below.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Abuse cuts across religion, race, and class.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
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The camera lingers over the $20 bill Maggie has left, and the film cuts to black.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cold shoulders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold%20shoulders. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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