as in distant
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others
she proved to be simply shy, not standoffish
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of standoffish
After several minutes of standoffish conversation, Cummings accused Arriola of trying to scam him.
—
Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2022
And Steve says, all of this just goes a long way toward the hospital, redefining its once really standoffish relationship with the surrounding neighborhoods.
—Laura Johnston, cleveland, 7 Nov. 2022
Harper is initially cold and standoffish, refusing even to pick up a champagne flute to collectively toast to their impending holiday together.
—Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Oct. 2022
That’s because these standoffish compounds don’t react to anything—not biological or other chemical agents.
—Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2022
See All Example Sentences for standoffish
Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2022
And Steve says, all of this just goes a long way toward the hospital, redefining its once really standoffish relationship with the surrounding neighborhoods.
—Laura Johnston, cleveland, 7 Nov. 2022
Harper is initially cold and standoffish, refusing even to pick up a champagne flute to collectively toast to their impending holiday together.
—Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Oct. 2022
That’s because these standoffish compounds don’t react to anything—not biological or other chemical agents.
—Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2022
See All Example Sentences for standoffish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoffish
Adjective
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Great athletes have been known to remember the minute details of games in the distant past with uncommon clarity.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
13 Apr. 2025
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His ceiling offensively doesn’t suggest work as a No. 1 centre in the NHL; second-line duty over a period of years is something of a distant bell based on current numbers; his floor (No. 3 centre) would represent a reach selection for this player.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Out back, there’s a sleek new pool and detached garage, primed for conversion.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
18 Apr. 2025
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The report further indicates that there was one dead rodent in the attached garage, and across the three detached garages, investigators encountered one live rodent, one dead rodent, one nest, and one building with gnaw marks.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Pretty Touches Furnishings and accessories can be used as multifunctional pieces to add charm so the space does not look too cold and office-like, says Daley.—
Stacey Zable,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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In a medium denim wash, the jacket looks great with light or dark clothes and is perfect for layering when the weather takes a cold dip.—
Robin Raven,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Ohtani, one of the best hitters and pitchers to have ever lived, is faintly aloof and carries himself woodenly (and has a fantastic head of hair).—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
17 Mar. 2025
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Deadline first reported that John Lithgow was nearing final talks for the role of Albus Dumbledore, the aloof yet powerful headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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If the planet becomes cool enough and hydrogen and water separate early in its evolution, Gupta says a supercritical layer of water could form beneath the hydrogen atmosphere — thereby shedding new light on how planets with liquid water oceans could exist.—
Victoria Corless,
Space.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Results could offer clues about household confidence as inflation lingers and real wages cool.—
Catherine Baab,
Quartz,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Who better to go searching for unidentified flying objects than a snobbish TV host and a reserved extraterrestrial enthusiast?—
Geordon Wollner,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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There are two color schemes to choose between—a reserved palette featuring navy blue and green for a calm, sophisticated look; and a vibrant rainbow palette for those who enjoy bright, energetic colors.—
Emma Kershaw,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The withdrawn San Francisco drama, about lonely nonbinary nanny and restaurant server Cass (Asia Kate Dillon), is simple in its presentation, but disguises numerous layers to its story.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2025
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Jade and John told Dateline both had noticed their daughter was acting a bit withdrawn in the period leading up to her disappearance.—
Veronica Fulton,
NBC News,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Standoffish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoffish. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.
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