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
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Recent Examples of cold-shoulder
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
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
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Being a primary caregiver for any child in the U.S. is inherently challenging, stressful, isolating, and a full-time job.—
Rachelle Rutherford,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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The apparent détente marks a drastic departure in U.S. policy toward the Kremlin: The Biden White House had sought to isolate and sanction Russia over its full-scale invasion of its neighbor.—
Eleanor Beardsley,
NPR,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Some people might say the same about Menke’s dismissal.—
Chris Gardner,
The Hollywood Reporter,
1 Mar. 2025
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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
Verb
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It should be noted that Hurts didn’t join the Eagles until 2002 – over two years after the team and Trump snubbed each other.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
7 Feb. 2025
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The state of North Carolina went 0-for-3 Thursday night at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as linebacker Luke Kuechly and wide receivers Steve Smith and Torry Holt were all snubbed.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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No spanking, humiliation, silent treatment, name calling, withholding of love and affection, or nonsensical punishments and consequences.—
Meghan Leahy,
Washington Post,
3 July 2024
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After her husband retired, the disengagement, silent treatment and lack of support that characterized the relationship worsened.—
Abby Ellin,
Washington Post,
1 July 2024
Verb
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Never the favorite of his party's professional advisers, Merz was twice rejected as Merkel's successor as party leader, in 2018 and 2021, before his doggedness won out in 2022.—
Thomas Escritt,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
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When this innate drive for self-expansion is unfulfilled within the current relationship, individuals may seek it elsewhere—including through infidelity. Cheating, in this case, isn’t necessarily about rejecting a relationship but about reclaiming a lost sense of self.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Bill is a great character, all stiff back and prissiness.—
Laurie Hertzel,
Boston Herald,
21 Feb. 2025
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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
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The University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Southern California have also paused or cut their graduate admissions, at least temporarily.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
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Today, Meaghan Garvey offers an ontological bonus cut from her time in Sweden with King Nothingg.—
Meaghan Garvey,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But don’t slight Southern California’s earlier signature trees.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2025
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More than 65 breweries will be present, and while San Diego is slighted — the only local in the lineup is North Park Beer Co. — this is a heavy-hitting group: Russian River, Trillium, Garage Project, Three Floyds, Cellarmaker, Alchemist and the like.—
Peter Rowe,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cold-shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold-shoulder. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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