silent treatment
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of silent treatment
First recorded in 1945–50
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.
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
He did not want to speak after Saturday's round, but he did and in so doing broke his silent treatment of the media.
From BBC • Jun. 16, 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,” Drescher said.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 24, 2023
At least she’s not giving me the silent treatment anymore.
From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
