as in to isolate
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely
cold-shouldered by his old friends after his family had lost all of its money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
at the party the two former friends consciously gave each other the cold shoulder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of cold-shoulder
Julia Teti, WWD, 31 Jan. 2025
Worst of all, local and state government agencies have shown an increasing tendency to fend off public-records requests with barriers like unjustified fees or a simple cold shoulder, letting records requests lie dormant for weeks or months with no response.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025
In a 2008 Ebony profile, Banks posed with Iman, Alek Wek and Kimora Lee Simmons—women who were all toggling between fabulous modeling careers, as the faces of high fashion, and new options, in case the world of struts ever turned a cold shoulder.
—Essence, 25 Feb. 2025
The omission sparked some spirited posts on social media about Young and other players who received a cold shoulder from voters.
—Chantz Martin, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Noun
The actress wore the brand’s cold shoulder midi dress, which featured a plunging neckline with gold-tone bead detailing.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 31 Jan. 2025
Worst of all, local and state government agencies have shown an increasing tendency to fend off public-records requests with barriers like unjustified fees or a simple cold shoulder, letting records requests lie dormant for weeks or months with no response.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025
In a 2008 Ebony profile, Banks posed with Iman, Alek Wek and Kimora Lee Simmons—women who were all toggling between fabulous modeling careers, as the faces of high fashion, and new options, in case the world of struts ever turned a cold shoulder.
—Essence, 25 Feb. 2025
The omission sparked some spirited posts on social media about Young and other players who received a cold shoulder from voters.
—Chantz Martin, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold-shoulder
Verb
-
Traumatic or abusive situations often distance or isolate people.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Furthermore, the current political and market volatility can become distracting, or even isolating.—
Theodore McDarrah,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Department of Justice did not return a request for comment May 2 about the dismissal of charges.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
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After years of back-and-forth in the court system, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the case’s dismissal in March 2025.—
Alexandra Klass,
The Conversation,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
In 2015, following the deaths of their late parents — stepdad Don and mom Marjorie — Greg claimed that Christie snubbed him from a memorial service.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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Thompson, who many believed was snubbed from the All-Rookie teams, has a 7-foot wingspan, elite athleticism, and the kind of defensive bite that’s turned heads around the league.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This distress often results in either combative behavior (arguing, criticizing) or withdrawal (silent treatment, shutting down).—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
No guilt-tripping, no last-minute attempts to change your mind, no silent treatment later on.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Guo, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, rejected Trump’s assertions suggesting progress toward a trade deal.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Hours before the scheduled execution on Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a final appeal by Mendoza's attorneys to stop the execution.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Failing to comply can lead to stiff fines (up to 4% of a company’s turnover) and disrupt market access.—
Florent Bouguin,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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Trump’s move on Wednesday to place stiff new tariffs on imports from nearly all U.S. trading partners marks an all-in bet by the Republican that his once-fringe economic vision will pay off for Americans.—
Steve Peoples,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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With the new order, Trump is threatening to cut federal funds to cities and states his Administration decides are blocking his mass deportation effort.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
29 Apr. 2025
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The state says the rule is crucial to meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and cutting smog-forming pollutants.—
David Shepardson,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Some in Buenos Aires felt slighted by Francis’ avoidance of Argentina.—
Almudena Calatrava and Isabel Debre,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2025
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Even Doncic appeared slighted by the trade after writing a farewell note to Mavericks fans just hours after the trade, which some believed was a fake on social media when reports dropped, became official.—
Scott Thompson,
Fox News,
3 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cold-shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-shoulder. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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