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
Worst of all, local and state government agencies have shown an increasing tendency to fend off public-records requests with barriers like unjustified fees or a simple cold shoulder, letting records requests lie dormant for weeks or months with no response. Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025 In a 2008 Ebony profile, Banks posed with Iman, Alek Wek and Kimora Lee Simmons—women who were all toggling between fabulous modeling careers, as the faces of high fashion, and new options, in case the world of struts ever turned a cold shoulder. Essence, 25 Feb. 2025 The omission sparked some spirited posts on social media about Young and other players who received a cold shoulder from voters. Chantz Martin, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025 The actress wore the brand’s cold shoulder midi dress, which featured a plunging neckline with gold-tone bead detailing. Julia Teti, WWD, 31 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cold-shoulder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold-shoulder
Verb
  • However, because the patient was isolated in a hospital, the more dangerous viruses didn't transmit to others.
    Amy Maxmen | KFF Health News, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • An old John Lennon demo was transformed into a complete song by isolating his vocals (and George Harrison’s guitar tone) and combining that with new recordings from the rest of the living band.
    Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • For years, Chicago Public School officials would send dozens of names of problematic employees to monthly board meetings for their dismissals to be signed off on.
    Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
  • But chipping away at central bank independence, as Trump appears to be doing with his open criticism of the Fed chair and implicit threats of dismissal, is a historically sure way to high inflation.
    Ana Carolina Garriga, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Finding football players Some players with rare football instincts get snubbed for lacking a singular positional niche.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Additionally, a Trump aide told the outlet that the president had avoided traveling to Dover at all for nearly two years straight after he was snubbed by a military parent.
    Meredith Kile, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • 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
Verb
  • The best way to avoid the tariffs, Trump has told businesses, is to make goods inside the U.S. EU officials had suggested sector-specific zero-for-zero tariffs with the U.S., such as in industrial goods and autos, but Trump rejected the idea.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • There are plenty of glaring examples, such as Steve Jobs and Google being rejected by some of the world’s most renowned VCs (https://www.bvp.com/anti-portfolio).
    Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Trump’s move on Wednesday to place stiff new tariffs on imports from nearly all U.S. trading partners marks an all-in bet by the Republican that his once-fringe economic vision will pay off for Americans.
    Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Felt is warm, easily dyed and stiff enough to hold a cone shape.
    Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The country’s Ministry of Trade and Industry cut its gross domestic product forecast to 0%-2% for 2025, down from its previous outlook of 1%-3%.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Place bottoms, cut sides up, in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
    Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 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 24 Apr. 2025.

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