silent treatment
Refusing to speak
The silent treatment is a form of punishment or manipulation in which someone refuses to speak to another person: She gave him the silent treatment for days after the argument.
It weaponizes absence of communication, forcing the target to guess what's wrong or to capitulate without discussion.
Common in domestic disputes and workplace conflicts.
Deliberately not noticing
- shunningDeliberately avoiding someone
- cold shoulderIntentional dismissive treatment
- snubbingPointedly ignoring someone
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
withdrawal · unresponsiveness · stonewalling · aloofness · reticence · wordlessness · noncommunication · brushoff
Indirectly expressing resentment
- controlAuthority to direct
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- mind gamesPsychological manipulation tactics
- guilt-trippingInducing remorse deliberately
withholding · power play · emotional abuse · psychological warfare · leverage · pressure · dominance · power imbalance
ignoring
Deliberately not noticing
- shunningDeliberately avoiding someone
- cold shoulderIntentional dismissive treatment
- snubbingPointedly ignoring someone
avoidance · withdrawal · unresponsiveness · stonewalling · aloofness · reticence · wordlessness · noncommunication · brushoff · shutout
passive-aggressive
Indirectly expressing resentment
- controlAuthority to direct
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- mind gamesPsychological manipulation tactics
guilt-tripping · withholding · power play · emotional abuse · psychological warfare · leverage · pressure · dominance · power imbalance
estrangement
Emotional separation between people
hostility · resentment · standoff · impasse · cold war · animosity · grudge · bitterness · strain · friction
partner
One who shares activity
coworker · family · lover · sibling · ex · roommate · in-laws · marriage · dating · workplace
- passive aggressionbackhanded compliments, backhanded compliment, cold shoulder, eye rolling, eye roll
- emotional responsesfacial expression, tone of voice, temper tantrum, mood swing, cold shoulder
- dismissalsgo away, get out, leave, scram, beat it
- adolescencepuberty, teenager, coming-of-age, growing up, teen
- disciplinemisconduct, violation, time-out, timeout, grounded
- family dramafamily bonds, sibling rivalry, family reunion, kinship, family secret
silent treatmentopen communication
Unrestricted exchange of information
talking it out · heart-to-heart · clear communication · airing grievances · having it out
silent treatmentyelling
Vocalization at maximum volume
screaming · blowing up · losing one's temper · tantrum · venting
silent treatmentwarm reception
Enthusiastic, friendly greeting
open arms · emotional availability · attentiveness · doting · red carpet treatment
silence, silent, silently, silenced, silencing, silent partner, silent mode