silent treatment

noun

1. an act or instance of maintaining silence or aloofness toward another person, especially as a means of indicating disapproval or rejection.

Word History and Origins

Origin of silent treatment¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

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.

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‘He thinks nothing of spending $40K on a new car’: My husband gives me the silent treatment.

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‘He thinks nothing of spending $40K on a new car’: My husband gives me the silent treatment.

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‘He thinks nothing of spending $40K on a new car’: My husband gives me the silent treatment.

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About times he’d argued with his wife and given her the silent treatment.

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