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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
at the party the two former friends consciously gave each other the cold shoulder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of cold-shoulder
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
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
-
Difficult Amazon logistics is no excuse Another challenge to vaccinating indigenous groups is the complicated logistics of getting shots to their territories, which are often isolated and hard to reach.—
Adriana Brasileiro,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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And that’s what people want at the end of the day, is someone to resonate with and not feel so alone and isolated in this world.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Four Democratic-Farm-Labor Party lawmakers who chair state Senate education committees cited Minneapolis Public Schools canceling classes and extracurricular activities last week after federal agents reportedly clashed with students and staff during Roosevelt High School’s dismissal on Wednesday.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
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Prosecutors noted that after receiving the money, the defendants filed loan forgiveness applications containing further inaccuracies, which led to the dismissal of some debt.—
Chase Jordan
January 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Follow along to see who got nominated, who was snubbed and who surprised us all.—
Jennifer McClellan,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Ranger Suárez was an All-Star in 2024 and was snubbed from the All-Star Game last season.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Destructive silent treatment creates an imbalanced power dynamic in the relationship.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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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
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Bonta rejected the allegations as unsubstantiated and said the states were targeted solely because of their political leadership.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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For at least the third time in just over a year, Humphrey has rejected most serious charges against rule-breaking cops.—
Stephanie Stremplewski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Jan. 2026
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
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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,
10 Dec. 2025
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Next, in another bowl, whip the egg whites to stiff peaks.—
Kathryn Gregory,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Carolina cut the lead 17-14 at halftime after a 1-yard touchdown run by Hubbard and a 16-yard scramble by Young, the second-longest TD run of his career.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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This same staff cut him to make room for a waiver-wire claim before the start of the 2024 season.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cold-shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-shoulder. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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