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.
—
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
-
In Sheth’s images, the subjects’ backgrounds appear almost as dreamscapes, or portals to distant universes.—
M. Z. Adnan,
New Yorker,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Astronomers compare them to a powerful lighthouse that shines for milliseconds in the middle of a rough, distant sea.—
Jorge Garay,
Wired News,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In one image, a firefighter assisted the man out of the tube as colleagues held aside the detached pieces.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Recently remodeled, the property offers a two-story main house plus a guest suite atop the detached garage, for a combined total of four bedrooms and four baths in roughly 2,800 square feet.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The former includes espresso, americano, cappucino, latte, chaga mocha, cold brew and drip coffee.—
Endia Fontanez,
AZCentral.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Coco Cold Brew tops coconut water over ice with cold brew foam.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Stay cool with clothing: Select lightweight and loose-fitting outfits for enhanced comfort.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
23 Aug. 2025
-
For instance, police found a handgun inside a cooler next to the front door.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, those who prefer to stick to dry land can make the trek up to Kelly Ridge Point, an elevated site that offers gorgeous views of the surrounding lake.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Right now, the area burning just north of Alligator Alley, northwest of Weston, is drier than it’s been at this time of year since 2007, which was one of the worst drought years on record.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The reserved seats will be available starting in January.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
20 Aug. 2025
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Top with reserved mushrooms; garnish with additional thyme and pepper.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Scottish actor Jack Lowden follows in the footsteps of Laurence Olivier, Colin Firth, and Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy, one of literature's most iconic, aloof romantic heroes.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Cuomo, too, stayed aloof from the press and in so doing came off as a lot less authentic and genuine than Mamdani.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
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Unfortunately, further discussions were heated, with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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