as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
ever since our run-in at the party she's been giving me the silent treatment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 silent treatment
In the present, they’re awkwardly reunited for his brother’s destination wedding in Barcelona, following two years of mutual silent treatment.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
Destructive silent treatment creates an imbalanced power dynamic in the relationship.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Brit greets everyone, including Kelli, who opts for the ever-mature silent treatment.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 22 June 2025
Modern nineteenth-century prisons in various parts of the world, including in the British empire, began to model their own prisons off of the Eastern State Penitentiary, instituting separate and silent treatments that suppressed language.
—Amir Hussain
june 6, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for silent treatment
Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
Destructive silent treatment creates an imbalanced power dynamic in the relationship.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Brit greets everyone, including Kelli, who opts for the ever-mature silent treatment.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 22 June 2025
Modern nineteenth-century prisons in various parts of the world, including in the British empire, began to model their own prisons off of the Eastern State Penitentiary, instituting separate and silent treatments that suppressed language.
—Amir Hussain
june 6, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for silent treatment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silent treatment
Noun
-
The dismissal of several key claims from the suit comes one month ahead the scheduled start of their trial.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
What did the judge say in his dismissal?—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The base lurks awkwardly on a windblown corner, all cold shoulders and sharp elbows, resenting its neighbors: a public-housing project, a softball field, the FDR Drive, and the bridge footings.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Three years removed from his last season in Packers green and gold, the future Hall of Famer offered no cold shoulders or steely stares toward former teammates and coaches.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
-
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.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While not issuing a quick rejection, key conservative justices seemed skeptical of the administration’s arguments for its legality.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The legal costs that could be incurred by these private schools would be devastating, with claims motivated more by rejection of beliefs than actual injury.—
Stephen Mitchell,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Silent treatment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silent%20treatment. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
