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 law’s ambiguity became an immediate battleground as defendants like Lee sought early dismissals on procedural grounds.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Their dismissals seem like a matter of when, not if.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By holding the form constant, Celmins isolates the matter.—
Harmon Siegel,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
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This is not a wallowing cruiser that isolates the driver in a leather cocoon, floating along, not entirely sure where the front end is.—
Mark Ewing,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Israel rejects that characterization.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The Nigerian government rejects that.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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Share Who were this year's snubs and surprises?—
Saba Hamedy,
NBC news,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Mildly spicy, these peppers give this dip the perfect savory, slightly tart kick that cuts the creaminess perfectly.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
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The Philippine Fault Zone, which cuts across the archipelago, is one of many active faults responsible for significant seismic events.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cold shoulders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold%20shoulders. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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