silent treatments
Deliberate communicative withholding
Silent treatments is the plural of silent treatment, the practice of refusing to speak to someone as a form of punishment or manipulation.
It's a passive-aggressive tactic in relationships, where one person withholds communication to express displeasure or exert control: She gave him the silent treatment for days after the argument.
The phrase almost always appears in the singular.
- nonspeakingNot using oral language
- noncommunicationFailure to convey information
- ignoringDeliberately not noticing
- stonewallingDeliberately refusing to respond
- ostracismBanishment from a group
blackballing · estrangement · cold shoulder · outcasting · alienation · nonverbal cues · walking on eggshells · hurt feelings · power imbalance · exclusion · snubbing · emotional manipulation · emotional abuse · toxic relationship · communication barriers · shunning · resentment · family disputes
silent treatmentsshouting matches
Angry vocal exchanges
airing grievances · yelling · screaming · having it out · open dialogue
silent treatmentsventing
Releasing emotion verbally
unloading · outbursts · ranting · speaking one's mind · tirades
silent treatmentsopen communication
Unrestricted exchange of information
clearing the air · active listening · mediation · reconciliation efforts · honest conversation
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