as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
ever since our run-in at the party she's been giving me the silent treatment
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Recent Examples of silent treatment
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
Brit greets everyone, including Kelli, who opts for the ever-mature silent treatment.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 22 June 2025
Modern nineteenth-century prisons in various parts of the world, including in the British empire, began to model their own prisons off of the Eastern State Penitentiary, instituting separate and silent treatments that suppressed language.
—Amir Hussain
june 6, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
Brit greets everyone, including Kelli, who opts for the ever-mature silent treatment.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 22 June 2025
Modern nineteenth-century prisons in various parts of the world, including in the British empire, began to model their own prisons off of the Eastern State Penitentiary, instituting separate and silent treatments that suppressed language.
—Amir Hussain
june 6, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for silent treatment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silent treatment
Noun
-
Fani, who remains an associate professor, claimed his dismissal followed pressure from pro-Israel groups.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
At the time of his death, the 53-year-old president was enmeshed in a constitutional crisis over his tenure, and his ruling by decree following his dismissal of the Parliament.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
There are screaming matches and cold shoulders.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
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.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
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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.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The boot in question obviously isn’t a pink slip or a rejection notice.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
-
Was Sykes hurt by her daughter’s Ricci-rejection?—
Liana Satenstein,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Silent treatment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silent%20treatment. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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