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
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
There are screaming matches and cold shoulders.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
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 Mulholland Drive actress has since become one of the most visible voices urging women to recognize perimenopause symptoms earlier, writing a book on the subject and speaking openly about the years of confusion, shame and dismissals that shaped her experience.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
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Korey’s record reports multimillion-dollar personal injury case results, more than 1,000 criminal-defense clients served, more than 500 dismissals, and recognition through The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and FOX 26 News.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
At a moment, when everything isolates us, the collective experience of cinema matters more than ever.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
12 May 2026
-
Closing doors isolates fire and prevents smoke, heat and flames from spreading, officials said.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Katie fully catches on to his selfish game, though, and firmly rejects him at last.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
-
Turkey vehemently rejects the label, conceding many died in that era but insisting the death toll is inflated and the deaths resulted from civil unrest.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Noun
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Just add this to a long list of snubs and disrespect Caitlin Clark has received over the last few years.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
Legal snubs aren’t a first for Musk.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The central bank cuts rates to stimulate the economy, but that can reignite inflation, especially when commodity prices like oil surge or supply chains are disrupted.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
Penned in partnership with long-time Riva collaborator Officina Italiana Design, the flybridge yacht cuts a sleek, dynamic silhouette with sporty lines and expansive glazing.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Sigmund Freud believed that every crush has a strand of disgust, that people are attracted to what repulses them.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Charlie, though, is trying to keep them out of a country that thoroughly repulses him.—
Alexander Nazaryan,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cold shoulders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold%20shoulders. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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