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
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
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
-
The Justice Department has appealed those dismissals.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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For many parents, these dismissals are especially painful when coming from their own parents, whose love and concern for their own child suddenly become secondary to their excitement about their grandchild, Ciciolla said.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Meek’s best writing often isolates intimate moments with tenderness and relatability.—
Dean Van Nguyen,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2026
-
This not only ensures sufficient power delivery, but also effectively isolates any electromagnetic interference to the analog signal from the digital architecture – all in the name of optimum listening.—
Stefan Ionescu
February 24,
New Atlas,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If your child rejects a new dish, don't give up hope.—
Barrie Gillies,
Parents,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Many expect a work stoppage — and possibly the cancellation of games for the first time since 1995 — as the MLB owners push for a salary cap and the players union rejects one.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Stung by so many Oscars snubs, DiCaprio chooses to bury himself in climate-change documentaries.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
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Want even more news on the latest nominations, snubs, and acceptance speeches?—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sadly, the Oscar orchestra cuts them off before another songwriter can speak.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
-
It is easily reached by a highway that cuts cleanly through the Sonoran Desert, past wind turbines spinning in their hundreds.—
Sophie Morgan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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 16 Mar. 2026.
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