ghosting
cold, avoidant, frustrating
the one-line answer
Cutting off all contact with someone suddenly and without explanation.
Ghosting is when someone you have been talking to or dating simply stops responding. No breakup. No explanation. They vanish. The word started in dating but now applies to friendships, professional contacts, and any relationship where someone disappears without warning.
mainstream
Your coworker might use this word.
01 / in the wild
hear it move.
frustrated
we talked every day for a month and then she ghosted me.
She stopped responding entirely without any explanation.
confused
I think I'm being ghosted. no response in five days.
The other person has likely decided to cut contact.
advice
don't ghost him, just be honest.
Tell him directly instead of disappearing.
03 / don't confuse
similar, not the same.
ghosting
Ghosting is full disappearance
vs
orbiting
Orbiting is ignoring messages but still watching your stories.