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 a 2015 study, researchers Esther Liu and Michael Roloff suggested that stonewalling or silent treatment could be a response to feeling emotionally drained or burnt out from overthinking about a conflict.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
The dynamic may be marked by frequent ruptures, including arguments, silent treatment or emotional withdrawal, followed by sudden closeness, reconciliation or affection.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
This silent treatment was later clarified to be part of McIlroy’s strategy to eliminate distractions.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025
This distress often results in either combative behavior (arguing, criticizing) or withdrawal (silent treatment, shutting down).
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for silent treatment
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
The dynamic may be marked by frequent ruptures, including arguments, silent treatment or emotional withdrawal, followed by sudden closeness, reconciliation or affection.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
This silent treatment was later clarified to be part of McIlroy’s strategy to eliminate distractions.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025
This distress often results in either combative behavior (arguing, criticizing) or withdrawal (silent treatment, shutting down).
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for silent treatment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silent treatment
Noun
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Potter had just been appointed after Julen Lopetegui’s disruptive dismissal and West Ham did win at Manchester United and Ipswich Town in the last three games to bring some light to the season’s end.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
17 Aug. 2025
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Its current trustees have expressed hope that the La Jolla Town Council can move on peacefully from its recent turmoil involving a series of executive actions, member dismissals, resignations and impassioned public comments.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The hugs stop and the arguments, the phone obsession, and the huffing cold shoulder starts.—
Cyndy Etler,
Hartford Courant,
28 July 2025
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Many experts say that migration levels are mainly driven by economic and humanitarian emergencies in the source countries, with the official cold shoulder in destination countries having had little impact in deterring migrants.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Player rejection after player rejection in the transfer market?—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
13 Aug. 2025
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In the end, the real sale is trust, and trust is earned in the pause between rejection and return.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Silent treatment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silent%20treatment. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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