the silent treatment

noun

: the act of ignoring someone because one is angry at him or her
Whenever she gets mad at me, she gives me the silent treatment.

Examples of the silent treatment in a Sentence

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So instead of drawing them closer, the silent treatment (and any accompanying eye rolls) has the opposite effect, leaving your partner confused, insecure, or worse: doubting your connection altogether. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 16 Oct. 2024 However, if the passive-aggressive leader is not working with a coach (or open to feedback) don’t expect the silent treatment to stop anytime soon. Chris Westfall, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024 The best ways to respond to the silent treatment 1. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 5 Sep. 2024 Secondly, those who pander to the stereotype of women being incredible communicators have clearly never endured a night of the silent treatment or a blazing row over who was supposed to take the bins out. Charlotte Moore, refinery29.com, 8 Mar. 2024 Part of the reason for the silent treatment has been that Biden and Democrats are doing plenty of work themselves to sow doubt about the president’s future. Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 July 2024 Cyrus would also give her the silent treatment for hours and days at a time, Firerose claimed. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 30 June 2024 China is also giving Canberra the silent treatment—suspending dialogues and refusing requests for official meetings. Michael Fullilove, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2022 Claudia is still giving him a version of the silent treatment after what happened with Lestat (Sam Reid), and their environment isn't helping things. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 13 May 2024

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Cite this Entry

“The silent treatment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20silent%20treatment. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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