brushoff
Curt social rejection
A brushoff is a curt dismissal or rejection, especially one that ignores or minimizes someone's request or attempt at connection: I tried to talk to her about it, but she gave me the brushoff.
The term suggests being swept aside rather than directly refused—treated as unworthy of real engagement.
Abrupt, curt rejection
- snubDeliberate dismissive rejection
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
- cold-shoulderIntentional social rejection
- slightMinor or thin
disregard · ignore · shun · spurn · decline · refuse · turn down · blow off
Emotional unavailability, standoffishness
- frostinessCold or unfriendly manner
- icinessExtreme coldness, literal or emotional
- chillCold sensation or relaxation
- coolnessCalm self-possession
distance · detachment · reserve · unfriendliness · remoteness · standoffishness · formality · stiffness
Absence of feeling
- unconcernAbsence of worry
- disinterestAbsence of bias
- nonchalanceCalm, casual composure
- insoucianceLighthearted lack of concern
dispassion · impassivity · unresponsiveness · couldn't care less · dismissiveness · boredom · inattention · heedlessness
Scornful disregard
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- condescensionDemeaning air of superiority
- sneeringExpressing scorn facially
belittlement · disparagement · disrespect · mockery · put-down · look down on · superiority · haughtiness
rebuff
Abrupt, curt rejection
- snubDeliberate dismissive rejection
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
- cold-shoulderIntentional social rejection
slight · disregard · ignore · shun · spurn · decline · refuse · turn down · blow off · wave off
aloofness
Emotional unavailability, standoffishness
- frostinessCold or unfriendly manner
- icinessExtreme coldness, literal or emotional
- chillCold sensation or relaxation
coolness · distance · detachment · reserve · unfriendliness · remoteness · standoffishness · formality · stiffness · frigidity
apathy
Absence of feeling
- unconcernAbsence of worry
- disinterestAbsence of bias
- nonchalanceCalm, casual composure
insouciance · dispassion · impassivity · unresponsiveness · couldn't care less · dismissiveness · boredom · inattention · heedlessness · casualness
disdain
Scornful disregard
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- condescensionDemeaning air of superiority
sneering · belittlement · disparagement · disrespect · mockery · put-down · look down on · superiority · haughtiness · arrogance
- rejectionrejection, reject, denial, refuse, refusal
- avoidanceavoidance, distancing, evasion, dodging, pulling away
- rudenessrude, discourtesy, impolite, rudeness, disrespect
- witticismsquips, witticisms, witticism, bon mots, bon mot
- expulsionsejection, ousting, expelling, forcing out, eviction
- withdrawalwithdrawing, cash withdrawal, ATM withdrawal, early withdrawal, fund withdrawal
brushofffull attention
Total mental engagement
engagement · consideration · hearing · audience · attentiveness