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
The dynamic may be marked by frequent ruptures, including arguments, silent treatment or emotional withdrawal, followed by sudden closeness, reconciliation or affection.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
This silent treatment was later clarified to be part of McIlroy’s strategy to eliminate distractions.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for silent treatment
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
This silent treatment was later clarified to be part of McIlroy’s strategy to eliminate distractions.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for silent treatment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for silent treatment
Noun
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Right now, all Broward students are prohibited from using their cellphones from the morning bell until dismissal, under a policy the School Board passed last year in hopes of improving mental health and academics among students.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
24 July 2025
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But the Trump administration said Maddox instead should’ve taken his cue from the Supreme Court’s May decision allowing the president to fire Democratic members of two federal labor boards while the former members challenge their dismissals.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
The hugs stop and the arguments, the phone obsession, and the huffing cold shoulder starts.—
Cyndy Etler,
Hartford Courant,
28 July 2025
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Many experts say that migration levels are mainly driven by economic and humanitarian emergencies in the source countries, with the official cold shoulder in destination countries having had little impact in deterring migrants.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
26 June 2025
Noun
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Still on a minutes limit, Brink played 12 minutes, registering two steals and three blocks, including a monster rejection on the All-Star Williams in the fourth quarter.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
2 Aug. 2025
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The protesters gathered in response to the Senate's rejection of two resolutions introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an Independent, to block an arms deal to Israel.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Silent treatment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/silent%20treatment. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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