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
-
Following the hiring of executive producer Nick Bilton May 28, the stalwart newsmagazine has seen a wave of dismissals — among them, correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, as well as executive editor Draggan Mihailovich.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
8 June 2026
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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
Verb
-
At low voltages, the system isolates neodymium — a critical ingredient for the ultra-strong permanent magnets used in clean energy.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
11 June 2026
-
Wembanyama isolates Brunson in the post and gets one, two, three chances at the rim for an indefensible bucket?—
Kyle Wagner,
New York Daily News,
11 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
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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
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Building Sugarwater also reflects Carrie’s broader ethos, one that rejects a scarcity mindset and instead embraces collaboration and connectivity.—
Britt Julious,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
-
There’s already wide agreement within the denomination that its belief statement — the Baptist Faith and Message — rejects the appointment of women as senior pastors who lead churches.—
Peter Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Quantum exposure cuts across data, supplier contracts, capital allocation, customer commitments, regulatory adequacy and board appetite.—
Maman Ibrahim,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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For instance, its strategic partner Cone Denim is only a five-minute drive from Parras, and the group ensures that textiles are available by pre-booking and reserving fabrics, which cuts six to eight weeks out of the process.—
SJ Studio,
Footwear News,
12 June 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 19 Jun. 2026.
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