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
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
No spanking, humiliation, silent treatment, name calling, withholding of love and affection, or nonsensical punishments and consequences.
—Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
After her husband retired, the disengagement, silent treatment and lack of support that characterized the relationship worsened.
—Abby Ellin, Washington Post, 1 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for silent treatment
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
No spanking, humiliation, silent treatment, name calling, withholding of love and affection, or nonsensical punishments and consequences.
—Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
After her husband retired, the disengagement, silent treatment and lack of support that characterized the relationship worsened.
—Abby Ellin, Washington Post, 1 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for silent treatment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silent treatment
Noun
-
Despite the low scoring, United fans would ideally like to give Amorim time to reshape the squad to his liking, rather than call for his immediate dismissal.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
-
His dismissal — and that of several other judges whom President Trump brought in in his first term in office — sparked immediate GOP outrage and claims of political interference.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Listen to this article Who says the NCAA wants to give Denver a cold shoulder?—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2025
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Sal feels every insult, every quip, and every cold shoulder from one of his kids.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
But the first lady's office squashed those rejection rumors for her son last week.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
2 June 2025
-
The founder who avoids raising prices fears rejection.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Silent treatment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silent%20treatment. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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