silent treatment

NOUN

ignoring of another

Synonyms

WEAK

blackballing cold shoulder ignore someone ignoring ostracism ostracization sending to Coventry

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Polite formalities did not return at the toss, Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha giving each other the silent treatment.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026

He’s used to giving me the silent treatment whenever there is conflict and he’s improved, but there is still a huge divide between what we have and what I, and most people, think is healthy.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 9, 2025

As his teammates continued to give him the silent treatment, Ohtani raised his arms and waved them.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2024

“I’m not really understanding what the silent treatment is,” SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher told The Associated Press last week.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 29, 2023

The silent treatment would be Ophie’s punishment, but for now Mama seemed more intent on getting them out of the attic than anything else.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland