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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of cold-shoulder
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Feb. 2026
Over the next half decade, Biden cold-shouldered the Turkish government.
—
Kaya Genç,
The Dial,
3 Feb. 2026
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
27 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Verb
Consignment stores rely on stocking items that feel current, so anything that screams a specific past era—think cold-shoulder tops or a bandage dress—isn’t likely to make the cut.
—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Feb. 2026
Over the next half decade, Biden cold-shouldered the Turkish government.
—
Kaya Genç,
The Dial,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
In the real world, this would be a cue for some halting, awkward small talk, perhaps, or a passive-aggressive nod of acknowledgement, or just a simple cold shoulder.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
27 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold-shoulder
Verb
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Where heat domes are hitting hardest in 2026 This summer’s extreme heat is not isolated to one region.
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First isolated in the 1940s by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, plutonium has been widely used to build nuclear arsenals by multiple countries.
Noun
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The insensitive promotion was swiftly canceled, leading to the CEO's dismissal, a public apology, and mandatory history training for 24,000 employees.
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But the European Court of Justice dismissal on Thursday marks the end of that process.
Verb
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The plot follows an HR executive named Val at a South Bay aerospace company who suspects that Leela, a young, female engineer, was snubbed for a promotion.
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Today, Ken gives us insight into his picks and snubs for the All-Star Game.
Noun
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In the present, they’re awkwardly reunited for his brother’s destination wedding in Barcelona, following two years of mutual silent treatment.
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Destructive silent treatment creates an imbalanced power dynamic in the relationship.
Verb
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Those seeking to stop the roundup reject almost all of the federal agencies’ claims, from the size of the herd to the notion that the horses cause ecological damage.
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While state studies have criticized the state’s education governance model, voters have rejected at least four attempts dating back to 1928 to reform the position.
Noun
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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.
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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.
Verb
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This look has the same sophisticated, polished feel of a suit moment without the dedication to stiff layers.
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Xavier Worthy #1 of the Kansas City Chiefs stiff arms Alex Highsmith #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium on December 25, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Verb
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The lineup already was revving, as Rushing homered in the second inning while Sasaki was still in the game, and both Kyle Tucker and Muncy drove in runs off starter Randy Vasquez in the third, cutting the deficit to two.
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Potential applications beyond wind energy The researchers believe the manufacturing approach could cut production costs for small wind turbines and help more people use lightweight renewable energy technology.
Cite this Entry
“Cold-shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-shoulder. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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