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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of cold-shoulder
Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Cate Charron, IndyStar, 2 Sep. 2025
These rules were administered via cold shoulders and whispers.
—Alessandra Schade, Time, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Verb
Over the next half decade, Biden cold-shouldered the Turkish government.
—Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold-shoulder
Verb
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Premier Protein shake pros One serving of a Premier Protein shake contains 160 calories and 30 grams of protein, which is more than even most whey isolate protein powders, which usually have 20 to 28 grams per serving.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The individual was traveling while infectious, despite having been told to isolate, according to a Milwaukee Health Department news release.—
Sarah Volpenhein,
jsonline.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Several Maryland school systems announced early dismissals Friday as forecasters warned of worsening weather conditions later in the day.—
Todd Karpovich,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Feb. 2026
-
That includes an unusual dismissal deal Garza reached last year with Austin police officer Karl Krycia.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Leonard, a native of Moreno Valley in Southern California, was initially snubbed when the reserves were announced Sunday from the Western Conference selections determined by NBA head coaches.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The report that Kraft was snubbed comes a few weeks after it was revealed that Belichick also failed to secure the necessary votes to make it into the Hall of Fame.—
Michael Nied,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
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That attempt was rejected, and in October 2023, LIV’s application was formally denied.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Jimenez, in part, criticized Gilbert’s proposal to put a commissioner on the panel that recommends an inspector general candidate for the commission to either accept or reject.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Braced by that humiliating rebuff, the Service wasted no time in getting serious and rallying around reform.—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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The matter-of-fact rebuff feels very French, very Oklou.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Best Sweatpant Jeans Gap New Ease Jeans Say goodbye to stiff denim waistbands thanks to the Gap New Ease Jeans.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
17 Jan. 2026
-
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
Verb
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More recently, the mayor spoke out against the county’s plan to cut $200 million in homeless services.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Local reports said Ukrainian missiles hit a power plant and an electrical substation, cutting power to parts of the city.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cold-shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-shoulder. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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