as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
ever since our run-in at the party she's been giving me the silent treatment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of silent treatment
Campaigning for a job is stressful enough without unearned silent treatment from an organization someone’s pining for.
—
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 July 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
This silent treatment was later clarified to be part of McIlroy’s strategy to eliminate distractions.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for silent treatment
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 July 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
This silent treatment was later clarified to be part of McIlroy’s strategy to eliminate distractions.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for silent treatment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silent treatment
Noun
-
Bolsonaro hoped for a similar dismissal of legal proceedings against him and dreamed of winning back the presidency when Brazil held elections in 2026.—
Adriana Carranca,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
In a letter to staff at the embassy following his dismissal, Mandelson described his role as ambassador as the ‘privilege of my life,’ the BBC reported.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
These rules were administered via cold shoulders and whispers.—
Alessandra Schade,
Time,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
There was a unilateral rebuff toward the idea that the industry is experiencing a drummer shortage in general.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
After multiple rejections from the auto dealership, Kim had to get creative again.—
Ernestine Siu,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The sting of rejection or criticism is universal.—
Susanne Biro,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Silent treatment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silent%20treatment. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share