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
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
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Now, in Crimea, Kyiv is systematically targeting key transport links and supply routes connecting the peninsula to southern Russian forces, aiming to disrupt logistics and isolate military infrastructure there.
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Her direction here wisely emphasizes the actors, and possibly overdoes it with the mirrors — lotta symbolically reflective surfaces and isolating frames within frames — but there’s never the sensation that the person behind the camera is winging it.
Noun
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Despite her dismissal, Keyser appeared in the first 20 minutes of Thursday’s episode, sharing a chat and a kiss with partner Zach Georgiou, and later slept in the bed with him.
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Following Mendoza's dismissal, fan anger seems to be directed at Stearns, the man in charge of building the roster.
Verb
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Derrick Brown Brown, the Panthers’ record-breaking defensive lineman, is no stranger to being snubbed from such league-wide lists.
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Over the years, the Oscars have garnered a reputation for snubbing studio tentpoles from consideration in above-the-line categories.
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.
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Destructive silent treatment creates an imbalanced power dynamic in the relationship.
Verb
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Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez rejected those motions.
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Goldman has drawn criticism for refusing to reject support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobbying group.
Noun
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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.
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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.
Verb
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Testers noted how plush or stiff the mattress felt after consistent sleep on the mattresses, from a boxed memory foam to a hybrid bed.
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All of which brings us to a basic conclusion: implicit in their support for the IFPA’s implementation, Illinois business owners are making explicit their desire to stiff their workers.
Verb
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Kirkmeyer has campaigned on affordability and safety issues, Bottoms is pushing for a redo of the state's education system among other things and Marx wants to cut regulations and lower the cost of living.
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Terrell Carstens, a 25-year resident of Brookhaven, said she is frustrated the city made little effort to find places to cut costs instead of raising the rate.
Cite this Entry
“Cold-shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-shoulder. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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