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
At the ceremony, her sister Joan Fontaine had presented the award for best actor and tried to congratulate de Havilland backstage, only to receive a cold shoulder that was caught by photographers. — Chris Feil, Vanity Fair, 15 Mar. 2026 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 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
  • In 1894 French-Swiss bacteriologist Alexandre Yersin isolated the plague bacterium and connected rat infestations to the disease.
    — Faye Flam, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Yet future Israeli leaders may not be overly concerned about that problem, convinced that Israel, with its military might and technological edge, has too much to offer potential partners to be ignored or isolated.
    — Dalia Dassa Kaye, Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of isolate
Noun
  • All five students sought to appeal their dismissals but say that the university blocked access to their education records, which the students allege is a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
    — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2026
  • In Virginia, a judge’s finding that Lindsey Halligan was unlawfully appointed led to the dismissal of indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Atty.
    — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of dismissal
Verb
  • Their forebears at the Academy snubbed canonical documentaries like The Thin Blue Line, Roger & Me, and Hoop Dreams.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
  • At one point, McLoughlin even snubbed Sylvester Stallone, another Kennedy Center Honoree who had wandered into the bar.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 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
  • But right-wing parties that would need to be part of his coalition could reject that option.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Human Rights Watch said those expulsions amounted to war crimes, a charge that Israel rejects.
    — Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 24 Oct. 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
  • In a pouch-cell demonstration, the battery continued powering an LED even after being folded and cut.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • At least 15 of the 53 donors who gave money this month had no history of state-level political contributions, and many more hadn’t cut checks in at least a decade.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 2026.

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