as in distant
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others
she was consistently surly and offish with the would-be suitors who came calling
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Recent Examples of offish
Richard’s other big ally is undervalued and initially stand-offish plant engineer Clarence C. Baker (Dennis Haysbert), who eventually warms to Richard’s interest in his machines, and who encourages him to think big.
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Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Mar. 2023
Guzmán said the stereotype that Germans are stand-offish is way off the mark.
—Soudi Jiménezescritor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2022
But announcements on two continents in the last week show that showing the stand-offish situation is changing, with Royal Dutch Shell and General Motors hooking up in the US and BP buying into a BMW-Daimler charging joint venture in Europe.
—Michael Taylor, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2021
Off fans will also find a few cakes, including the show-offish Swedish Prinsesstårta.
—Kate Krader, Bloomberg.com, 13 Nov. 2020
The plaza between the two buildings makes the complex feel open and welcoming, not overbearing or stand-offish.
—Steven Litt, cleveland, 4 Oct. 2020
Most of the mentor-teacher characters in kung fu films are extremely stand-offish and intimidating.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 1 July 2020
Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Mar. 2023
Guzmán said the stereotype that Germans are stand-offish is way off the mark.
—Soudi Jiménezescritor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2022
But announcements on two continents in the last week show that showing the stand-offish situation is changing, with Royal Dutch Shell and General Motors hooking up in the US and BP buying into a BMW-Daimler charging joint venture in Europe.
—Michael Taylor, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2021
Off fans will also find a few cakes, including the show-offish Swedish Prinsesstårta.
—Kate Krader, Bloomberg.com, 13 Nov. 2020
The plaza between the two buildings makes the complex feel open and welcoming, not overbearing or stand-offish.
—Steven Litt, cleveland, 4 Oct. 2020
Most of the mentor-teacher characters in kung fu films are extremely stand-offish and intimidating.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 1 July 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offish
Adjective
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The Sky Axe may have spoken, to those who knew its origins, of distant horizons; and now, thanks to the young woman who found it, the skies of the American Midwest are part of its story, too.Peter Ross, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
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These surrogate daughters — her relationship with her real daughter, Hannah (Billie Lourd), falls somewhere between distant and estranged — are part of Shelly’s social circle, along with Annette (Jamie Lee Curtis), a fellow Razzle Dazzle veteran who’s now a cocktail waitress at a nearby casino.David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But the detached garage and a guest cottage were destroyed, as were all but three or four of the 20 or so houses on their block near the Altadena Golf Course.Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
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Steps lead down to a heated swimming pool, and elsewhere on the property are fruit-bearing citrus trees, raised garden boxes and an original detached bomb shelter.Angela Serratore, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Fresh snow on the ground, bitterly cold air and wind gusts to 30 mph at times will generate wind chills — what the air feels like when combined with wind — in the single digits for the entire day.Mary Gilbert, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
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But often during winter, the polar vortex will expand, bringing its cold air south and causing these notoriously large outbreaks of chilly temperatures.Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The elevation provides cooler temperatures and optimal sun exposure, contributing to the wine's notable acidity and freshness.Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
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But, this year, being smart about their purpose and price is also cool.Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Outside of the chance of furies before sunrise on Monday, the weather service said the rest of the week will likely remain dry and quiet.Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025
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MacKay’s droll speaking style failed to impress some voters but was a huge hit with his colleagues and the media because of his dry, self-deprecating sense of humor.Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Vacheron has always been more stately, more reserved, and in a way more true to its history than Patek and Audemars Piguet have been.Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2025
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Abel describes herself as an extrovert who thrives on storytelling and adventure, while Andy is more reserved and content with a quieter life.Maria Morava, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Those details amount to an author nudging depiction of a misunderstood wunderkind versus an aloof outsider.Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 6 Jan. 2025
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Cats often get a bad rap for being independent and aloof.Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Pettersson is more withdrawn, more cerebral, more sensitive and certainly not prone to confrontation by nature.Chris Johnston, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
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Introverts may become talkative, or extroverts quiet and withdrawn.Dr. Talia Varley, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near offish
Cite this Entry
“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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