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 high portion of dismissals has also discouraged first responders such as police officers and firefighters from participating.—
Adam Summers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
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Those dismissals come as the administration has ramped up mass deportations of those without legal status, and sometimes pointed to judges as obstacles in that effort.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
6 Nov. 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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Employees have even suggested that Hialeah might be better served by joining county-run departments, an idea Calvo firmly rejects.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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After years representing luxury giants in fashion and beauty ranging from Audemars Piguet to Sephora, content creator Nour Arida is launching her own vision, one that rejects perfection in favor of presence.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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As with every year, there are plenty of surprises and just as many snubs among the nominees.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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Grammy nominations snubs including the Weeknd More than 23,000 entries were submitted for Grammy consideration.—
Jennifer McClellan,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In September, cuts to subsea cables in the Red Sea caused disruptions to Microsoft's Azure cloud service.—
Magdalena Petrova,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
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Together with fellow oligarch Gennadiy Bogolyubov, who cuts a comparatively lower profile, Kolomoisky amassed a sizable portfolio.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cold shoulders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold%20shoulders. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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