cold-shoulder 1 of 2

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

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cold shoulder

2 of 2

noun

as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly at the party the two former friends consciously gave each other the cold shoulder

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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 cold-shoulder
Noun
And contrary to what Tyler might hope, neither would an American cold shoulder, which would only entrench Israeli hawks -- as Eisenhower's distant approach to Israel did to the hard-liners of Ben-Gurion's generation. Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2013 Apparently undeterred by Greenland and Denmark's cold shoulder, Trump announced Monday that his son Donald Trump Jr. was making an impromptu visit to the island. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025 But a year ago, the veteran, who was draft pick in 2009, turned a cold shoulder to the Bronx Bombers, choosing to return to the Dodgers. Jon Vankin, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025 Constituencies that seemed tailored to endorse Carter gave him a cold shoulder. Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold-shoulder
Verb
  • The Arctic Ocean, nearly isolated from larger oceans by land bridges, became a vast, shallow, nutrient-rich basin.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • This means the elite of El Salvador likely traded in ritualistic traditions and customs across great distances, contradicting previous beliefs that these communities were isolated, according to Antiquity.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The intrigue: Rahn, a disabled U.S. Army veteran, worked as a civilian federal government employee for about five years before his dismissal, but was considered probationary because he'd been promoted from the Department of Defense to his role with CISA within the past year.
    Jessica Boehm, Axios, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Some people might say the same about Menke’s dismissal.
    Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • That tournament will also feature the world's top Russian and Czech players, who were snubbed from the 4 Nations Face-Off.
    Kyle Stokes, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025
  • But with the cultural tide turning in Trump's favor, the Eagles seem less likely to snub the president this time around.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • No guilt-tripping, no last-minute attempts to change your mind, no silent treatment later on.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • No spanking, humiliation, silent treatment, name calling, withholding of love and affection, or nonsensical punishments and consequences.
    Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
Verb
  • While some states complied and the NCAA revised its own trans athlete policy, states like Minnesota have rejected changes to their policies.
    Scott Thompson, Fox News, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Albritton has rejected the idea of passing an open carry bill this year.
    Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Bill is a great character, all stiff back and prissiness.
    Laurie Hertzel, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
  • The Arctic air will blast across the the Midwest with subzero wind chill temperatures and stiff northwesterly winds, AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.
    Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Today, Meaghan Garvey offers an ontological bonus cut from her time in Sweden with King Nothingg.
    Meaghan Garvey, Pitchfork, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Another option for cutting expenses would be to shift more Medicaid costs to the states, which would also be a de facto cut in services, since states, even California, likely couldn’t afford to keep the plan as-is without that federal money.
    Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Known for unmercifully calling out machismo through her music, Paquita became a guiding light for many women who have been wronged or slighted by their partners, or a patriarchal world.
    KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Each man feels insulted and slighted by the other; both have cause for resentment.
    Rachel Hadas, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cold-shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-shoulder. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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