cold shouldering
Giving frosty treatment
Cold shouldering is deliberately ignoring or snubbing someone, treating them with pointed indifference: She's been cold shouldering me ever since the argument.
The phrase suggests a visible withdrawal of warmth or friendliness—turning away rather than engaging.
It can describe ongoing behavior or a single act of social exclusion.
Pointedly ignoring someone
- shunningDeliberately avoiding someone
- ignoringDeliberately not noticing
- spurningContemptuously refusing or dismissing
- rebuffingCurtly refusing or dismissing
brushing off · turning away · avoiding · distancing · slighting · dismissing · disregarding · blanking
Banishment from a group
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
- isolationComplete separation from others
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
estrangement · alienation · banishment · exile · outcast · pariah · blacklisting · blackballing
Cause or feel pain
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- bewildermentState of being baffled
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
loneliness · wounded · slighted · snubbed · overlooked · invisible · dismissed · unwelcome
Scornful disregard
- contemptDisdainful disregard
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
antipathy · animosity · aloofness · frostiness · coolness · iciness · detachment · indifference
snubbing
Pointedly ignoring someone
- shunningDeliberately avoiding someone
- ignoringDeliberately not noticing
- spurningContemptuously refusing or dismissing
rebuffing · brushing off · turning away · avoiding · distancing · slighting · dismissing · disregarding · blanking · cutting
ostracism
Banishment from a group
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
- isolationComplete separation from others
marginalization · estrangement · alienation · banishment · exile · outcast · pariah · blacklisting · blackballing · social death
hurt
Cause or feel pain
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- bewildermentState of being baffled
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
rejection · loneliness · wounded · slighted · snubbed · overlooked · invisible · dismissed · unwelcome · unwanted
disdain
Scornful disregard
- contemptDisdainful disregard
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
resentment · antipathy · animosity · aloofness · frostiness · coolness · iciness · detachment · indifference · dislike
cold shoulderingwarm greeting
welcoming · warm welcome · embracing · open arms · warm reception
cold, shoulder, cold-shoulder, cold-shouldered, colder, coldest, coldly, coldness, shoulders