cold-shouldering
Giving the brush-off
Cold-shouldering is deliberately ignoring or snubbing someone, treating them with marked unfriendliness: She's been cold-shouldering me ever since the argument.
The behavior signals displeasure or rejection through pointed indifference rather than open confrontation.
Pointedly ignoring someone
- spurningContemptuously refusing or dismissing
- rebuffingCurtly refusing or dismissing
- brushing offDisregarding without consideration
- disdainingShowing utter contempt
scorning · slighting · contempt · derision · belittling · disparaging · disregarding · turning away
Deliberately not noticing
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
- overlookingFailing to see or consider
- disregardingDeliberately not considering
- inattentionLack of focus
silence · tuning out · stonewalling · blanking · turning a blind eye
Deliberately avoiding someone
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- blackballingGroup exclusion practice
- banishmentForced removal from place
- isolationComplete separation from others
marginalization · alienation · boycott · expulsion · outcast · pariah · excommunication · sidelining
Separation or emotional uninvolvement
- distanceSpace between two points
- coolnessCalm self-possession
- frostinessCold or unfriendly manner
- chillinessMild cold sensation
reserve · standoffishness · remoteness · unfriendliness · iciness · withdrawal · unapproachability · haughtiness
Formally refusing to acknowledge
- disowningFormally rejecting association
- excludingLeaving something out
- abandoningLeaving permanently behind
- casting asideDeliberately rejecting or abandoning
turning one's back · shutting out · cutting off · dropping · forsaking
snubbing
Pointedly ignoring someone
- spurningContemptuously refusing or dismissing
- rebuffingCurtly refusing or dismissing
- brushing offDisregarding without consideration
disdaining · scorning · slighting · contempt · derision · belittling · disparaging · disregarding · turning away · looking through
ignoring
Deliberately not noticing
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
- overlookingFailing to see or consider
- disregardingDeliberately not considering
inattention · silence · tuning out · stonewalling · blanking · turning a blind eye
shunning
Deliberately avoiding someone
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- blackballingGroup exclusion practice
- banishmentForced removal from place
isolation · marginalization · alienation · boycott · expulsion · outcast · pariah · excommunication · sidelining · persona non grata
detachment
Separation or emotional uninvolvement
- distanceSpace between two points
- coolnessCalm self-possession
- frostinessCold or unfriendly manner
chilliness · reserve · standoffishness · remoteness · unfriendliness · iciness · withdrawal · unapproachability · haughtiness · frigidity
repudiating
Formally refusing to acknowledge
- disowningFormally rejecting association
- excludingLeaving something out
- abandoningLeaving permanently behind
casting aside · turning one's back · shutting out · cutting off · dropping · forsaking
cold-shoulderingwelcoming
Receiving others warmly
embracing · befriending · accepting · including · warm reception
cold-shoulderingacknowledging
Accepting as true
attending to · recognizing · noticing · seeking out · engaging
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