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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Example Sentences
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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
-
Four Democratic-Farm-Labor Party lawmakers who chair state Senate education committees cited Minneapolis Public Schools canceling classes and extracurricular activities last week after federal agents reportedly clashed with students and staff during Roosevelt High School’s dismissal on Wednesday.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Prosecutors noted that after receiving the money, the defendants filed loan forgiveness applications containing further inaccuracies, which led to the dismissal of some debt.—
Chase Jordan
January 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But the internet seems to have already turned a cold shoulder towards the product.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
-
American distillers have gotten a costly cold shoulder from Canada, where their exports plunged 85% earlier this year — topping broad declines in key international markets amid global trade tensions, a spirits industry group said Monday.—
Joseph Hostetler,
Fortune,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The matter-of-fact rebuff feels very French, very Oklou.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
1 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
The move marks a clear departure from Washington’s earlier stance, which presumed rejection of nearly all such requests.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Despite this rejection, the board moved forward with plans to take on $2 million in new debt and to allow for more than 500 members to generate more revenue.—
Chase Jordan
January 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Silent treatment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silent%20treatment. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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