cold-shoulder 1 of 2

as in to isolate
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely cold-shouldered by his old friends after his family had lost all of its money

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cold shoulder

2 of 2

noun

as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly at the party the two former friends consciously gave each other the cold shoulder

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cold-shoulder
Noun
Stories include a brick thrown through a home's window, slurs hurled at a public pool, middle fingers extended out of car windows, and an overall cold shoulder from neighbors. Cate Charron, IndyStar, 2 Sep. 2025 These rules were administered via cold shoulders and whispers. Alessandra Schade, Time, 5 Aug. 2025 The hugs stop and the arguments, the phone obsession, and the huffing cold shoulder starts. Cyndy Etler, Hartford Courant, 28 July 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 See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold-shoulder
Verb
  • Caregiving is too hard and too isolating to do it on your own.
    Kat McGowan, NPR, 18 Oct. 2025
  • On all three plays, at the snap, the opposing offense had a tight end isolated on the formation to the left side with James in man coverage.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Janssen’s dismissal flipped the script.
    Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Bolton’s team is likely to seek dismissal or suppression of materials, arguing political motivation and lack of intent, while the Justice Department pushes to protect classified details.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Former Vice President Kamala Harris reiterated her regret over Tesla CEO Elon Musk being snubbed four years ago by then-President Joe Biden.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
  • By that measure, Sheinbaum should be reminded that sending cheap oil to the decrepit Cuban regime and snubbing the Summit of the Americas in solidarity with the region’s most brutal dictatorships is a betrayal of Mexico’s constitutional commitment to human rights.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Destructive silent treatment creates an imbalanced power dynamic in the relationship.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • In some practical ways, the show remains weighted toward Judas, as Christ gets a big standout number near the top of the second act, but then goes on to pretty much give Kings Herod and Pilate and the audience the strong, silent treatment after that.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The council had already rejected Allied once before, months earlier, over settlements — including back wages — that the company has had to pay out to current and former employees.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Teachers, students, and parents alike rejected the $850 million effort.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The matter-of-fact rebuff feels very French, very Oklou.
    Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2025
  • There was a unilateral rebuff toward the idea that the industry is experiencing a drummer shortage in general.
    Devon Ivie, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Testers noted how plush or stiff the mattress felt after consistent sleep on the mattresses, from a boxed memory foam to a hybrid bed.
    Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 5 Oct. 2025
  • When your sugar mixture reaches 230°F, begin beating your egg whites to firm peak stage; egg whites will hold their shape but not quite to stiff peak stage.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The organization is also working with ranchers to establish prescribed burn associations to manage the damaging plants and is organizing community cutting days to reduce woody encroachment further.
    Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Store cut or cooked squash in an airtight zip-top bag or container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cold-shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-shoulder. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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