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
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
Over the next half decade, Biden cold-shouldered the Turkish government.
—Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Verb
Consignment stores rely on stocking items that feel current, so anything that screams a specific past era—think cold-shoulder tops or a bandage dress—isn’t likely to make the cut.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
Over the next half decade, Biden cold-shouldered the Turkish government.
—Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
Taiwanese confidence in direct military intervention against a hypothetical invasion by China is faltering as President Donald Trump turns a cold shoulder to Taiwan.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold-shoulder
Verb
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Meteorologists note the possibility of small-scale spin-ups along the leading edge, meaning any tornadoes that form are likely to be isolated.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Des Moines Register,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Some of the storms have the potential to be strong, mainly in far northwest Missouri, with gusty winds, heavy rains and isolated large hail possible, the weather service said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Eighteen California youths appealed a court’s dismissal of their climate discrimination lawsuit against the EPA.—
Blanca Begert,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Still, John is now facing a dismissal hearing.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Wenner reneged on his word and McCartney was snubbed as a soloist until 1999.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
2 Mar. 2026
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But the relationship evolves into a power play as Jennifer, who confronts sexism at every turn within her family dynamic, feels snubbed when Fernando starts pursuing a more fulfilling, robust career as a ballet dancer — on his own merits.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the present, they’re awkwardly reunited for his brother’s destination wedding in Barcelona, following two years of mutual silent treatment.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
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Destructive silent treatment creates an imbalanced power dynamic in the relationship.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a further escalation of tensions with Kyiv, Hungary's parliament on Tuesday passed a resolution giving the government the green light to oppose Ukraine's path to joining the European Union and reject any initiatives to supply Ukraine with weapons or funding.—
JUSTIN SPIKE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
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On Tuesday, officials representing Seligman urged the council to reject the compensation agreements and instead sell the property to Seligman.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The latest rebuff of state overreach was the dismissal last week of the highly questionable felony case against respected Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly brought by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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Braced by that humiliating rebuff, the Service wasted no time in getting serious and rallying around reform.—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Still, with Thursday’s 3 p.m. NBA trade deadline rapidly approaching, Sexton and the Hornets insist the easiest way to keep the chatter from becoming a distraction is to stiff arm it as much as possible.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Feb. 2026
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Say goodbye to stiff towels with these tips for how to make towels soft again.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Idaho lawmakers are trying to balance the budget this year after cutting over $450 million in revenue in 2025.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
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One piece of legislation that's drawn a lot of attention is a resolution that could have cut property taxes for homeowners by 75% or more through a state constitutional amendment.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cold-shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-shoulder. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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