standoffish

adjective

stand-ˈȯ-fish How to pronounce standoffish (audio)
Definition of standoffishnext
as in distant
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others she proved to be simply shy, not standoffish

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of standoffish Don’t mistake him for being standoffish, though. — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 12 June 2026 Over the past two months, Searles-Harris had become increasingly standoffish and withdrawn, his neighbor Jimmy Smith told CNN Wednesday. — Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN Money, 4 June 2026 This creates a mini-crisis until he gets replaced by Matt (Chosen Jacobs), a bit of a standoffish kid who now must step up. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026 The boy was quiet, even standoffish, when Steve Montgomery first met him 15 years ago. — Taylor Batten, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for standoffish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoffish
  1. distant
  2. detached
  3. cold
  4. aloof
  5. cool
  6. reserved
  7. withdrawn
Adjective
  • The lonely runner conjecture predicts that, at some point, a runner will be maximally distant from all the other runners—the saddest, loneliest phase of the race.
    — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
  • As a child, Henrik Andersen would look out of his window in Jutland, Denmark’s windswept western peninsula, and watch the distant wind turbines turn.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of distant
Adjective
  • Gudmannsson, who speaks with a detached solemnity, isn’t quite sure what to make of it.
    — HubSpot, HubSpot, 1 Oct. 2026
  • On a map, Newfoundland is a vast, asymmetrical island, cloven by bays and inlets, semi-detached to appendages of land deformed by ancient glaciers scraping over it, leaving glacial striations, grooves and gouges on its granite face.
    — Paul Theroux, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of detached
Adjective
  • The spa is set to open in mid-December and promises to have a range of treatments including massages, facials, and hot/cold therapy.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Concrete is rigid, cold, and dead; land is living and breathing.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • Several people, including Simonton, described Allen as aloof from his workers.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Legalism emphasized that leaders should remain aloof from the governed.
    — Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of aloof
Adjective
  • The hotel initially had an intimate oyster bar off its lobby, but that space is now a cool special events venue.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Expect to feel the winds shifting in Northern California Friday, and Saturday for Southern California, as cooler air finally sweeps in.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of cool
Adjective
  • Return to baking sheet and re-cover with reserved plastic wrap.
    — Hana Asbrink, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Return the meatballs to the skillet along with the reserved pineapple tidbits and ½ cup chopped green bell pepper.
    — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of reserved
Adjective
  • In an era of ball-to-feet No 10s and withdrawn strikers, Welbeck stays high up the pitch, runs the channels and occupies defenders.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • The withdrawn earnings are taxed as ordinary income, the Treasury said.
    — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 11 July 2026
Definition of withdrawn

Browse Nearby Words

stand off
standoffish
standoffs
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Cite this Entry

“Standoffish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoffish. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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