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cold-shoulder 1 of 2

verb

Definition of cold-shouldernext
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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Verb
One cringe-inducing scene shows George Michael literally cold-shoulder the esteemed director. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 28 July 2026 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
Noun
Three years removed from his last season in Packers green and gold, the future Hall of Famer offered no cold shoulders or steely stares toward former teammates and coaches. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2025 But the internet seems to have already turned a cold shoulder towards the product. — Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold-shoulder
  1. isolate
  2. dismissal
  3. snub
  4. silent treatment
  5. reject
  6. rebuff
  7. stiff
  8. cut
Verb
  • Deep Isolation was responsible for studying how recycling waste could be packaged and permanently isolated underground.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Investigators described the incident as isolated and indicated there was no ongoing threat to the community, the police statement said.
    — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of isolate
Noun
  • Kotzmacher said the absence and dismissal of the issue only strengthened her resolve.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
  • In his Instagram caption, Macklemore referenced his dismissal from pop star Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour over his pro-Palestinian messaging and the ensuing fallout.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of dismissal
Verb
  • James Ransone‘s widow Jamie McPhee is calling out the Television Academy for excluding the late actor during the Emmys In Memoriam tribute, which marked the second time this year Ransone was snubbed by a major awards ceremony.
    — Zack Sharf, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
  • In fact, Hall’s performance is sometimes cited as one of the greatest Oscar snubs in history.
    — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of snub
Noun
  • 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
  • Destructive silent treatment creates an imbalanced power dynamic in the relationship.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of silent treatment
Verb
  • The county urged the Supreme Court to reject the administration's appeal, while the state of Texas submitted its own brief defending the database.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Notably, one person, without explanation, rejected the invitation to testify, though their statement to law enforcement was also considered.
    — Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of reject
Noun
  • Perhaps this accident of birth is connected to the subtle rebuff of modern life in Marcon’s films.
    — Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The rebuff contributes to the future civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, in which Rhaenyra battles her half-brother Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) for the seat of power.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026
Definition of rebuff
Verb
  • Primitive feathers O’Connor said some of the feathers looked highly similar to those present today in modern birds, with a central spine having a square cross section that would have helped make the feather stiff yet lightweight.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
  • But, no, the Kittrells attempted to stiff their creditors entirely by way of their Children's Trust.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of stiff
Verb
  • The burger will drip all over your fries, which are included and cut like pickle chips.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Lamont and lawmakers have set aside $550 million from past state budget surpluses to mitigate federal human service programs cuts.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of cut

Browse Nearby Words

coldness
cold-shoulder
cold shoulder
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cold-shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-shoulder. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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