as in dismissals
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
at the party the two former friends consciously gave each other the cold shoulder
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in isolates
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely
cold-shouldered by his old friends after his family had lost all of its money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cold shoulders
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
These rules were administered via cold shoulders and whispers.
—Alessandra Schade, Time, 5 Aug. 2025
My first issue, in January, launched Nan Goldin’s campaign against the Sackler family for their role in the opioid epidemic, and this action has inspired cold shoulders from the philanthropic class.
—David Velasco, Harpers Magazine, 18 Dec. 2023
Noun
There are screaming matches and cold shoulders.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
These rules were administered via cold shoulders and whispers.
—Alessandra Schade, Time, 5 Aug. 2025
My first issue, in January, launched Nan Goldin’s campaign against the Sackler family for their role in the opioid epidemic, and this action has inspired cold shoulders from the philanthropic class.
—David Velasco, Harpers Magazine, 18 Dec. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold shoulders
Noun
-
Ivan Juric failed, even as a Gasperini disciple, to provide continuity and struggled for credibility after his dismissals from Roma and Southampton last season.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
The Town Council experienced a wave of upheaval in 2025 amid executive actions, member dismissals, resignations and public criticism.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
This solid layer isolates the reactive processes, stopping leaks and stabilizing the cell during high-energy cycles.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
-
By beginning with 2018, the data isolates a period in which the Chevrolet-Honda rivalry remained important, while the fundamental aerodynamic platform was more consistent across the field.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
By the time a debt collector calls or a lender rejects your loan, an identity thief may have been using your information for months.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
Pamela, a servant, rejects the advances of her wealthy employer and thereby induces him to marry her.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
For many, two key snubs for Mauricio Pochettino’s first World Cup roster were in the midfield, as Diego Luna and Tanner Tessman weren’t among the 26 men on the stage at Pier 17.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2026
-
Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Levi Colwill and Estevao will all get a full summer to recover their minds and bodies and enjoy the benefits of something resembling a proper pre-season, fuelled by the additional motivation of their World Cup snubs.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
In general, electrification cuts energy costs, removes the volatility of fuel prices, and builds more resilient operations.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
29 May 2026
-
Tens of thousands of jobs cuts across the industry have increased competition for open spots.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Sigmund Freud believed that every crush has a strand of disgust, that people are attracted to what repulses them.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Charlie, though, is trying to keep them out of a country that thoroughly repulses him.—
Alexander Nazaryan,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cold shoulders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold%20shoulders. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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