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.
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
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
Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 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
In the real world, this would be a cue for some halting, awkward small talk, perhaps, or a passive-aggressive nod of acknowledgement, or just a simple cold shoulder.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 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
-
This technique allows the photographer to isolate the color information captured in the image.—
Andrea Gawrylewski,
Scientific American,
22 May 2026
-
For businesses using promotional merchandise as part of a client retention strategy, start by isolating accounts that received a structured gifting program versus those that didn't, then compare retention rates and average order value over 12 months.—
Douglas Gregory,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
These efforts deserve serious consideration, not political delay or procedural dismissal.—
Steven G. Xiarhos,
Boston Herald,
20 May 2026
-
Smith then appealed that dismissal.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
In fact, when Belichick was snubbed from the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a first-ballot inductee earlier this year, Brady was among those who scoffed at the football writers for leaving out the coach with the third-most wins all-time.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
-
Phillips pointed to unbeaten Florida State getting snubbed from a four-team CFP field in 2023 and Notre Dame getting left out of last year’s 12-team model.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 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
-
Libby Savill, the deputy chair of Southbank Centre, outright rejected the allegations.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
19 May 2026
-
That could be fine if people knew when to rely on AIs and when to reject them.—
Gautam Mukunda,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Despite the Reina Sofía’s many refusals to lend the work to various institutions around the world, its rebuff of the Guggenheim’s request carries a particular sting because the Basque Country has long held that the painting belongs in the place where the depicted tragedy occurred.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Generally, my blowout starts to get limp and stiff around day three (despite sleeping in overnight blowout rods), but the week of my Cécred test, my mane still looked fresh-out-the-salon by day five.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
22 Mar. 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,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The rooms Rooms are decorated in a cool, muted Pacific Northwest palette—soft shades, brass accents, and heavy drapes that cut the light just right.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
-
Jake and Violet finally get married — and Station 42 gets to cut loose on the dance floor.—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cold-shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-shoulder. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
