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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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
-
No problem Remember when adventure seemed like a distant memory?—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Resembling a distant cousin to the truffula tree in Seussical botany, this shaft of sturdy stem with intermittent globes of golden treats is a pollinator’s dream.—
New York Times Games,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The film seems to comment on the evolution of communication—from a love of language to a more detached, modern form of communication.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
-
The wood fence enclosing the yard is new, and a detached garage has a workshop and holds one car.—
Angela Serratore,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This will act to push colder air back into portions of the Lower 48 states.—
Doyle Rice,
USA TODAY,
23 Feb. 2025
-
First Alert Weather Day in effect across North Texas due to dangerous cold Cowboys' Zack Martin announces retirement after 11-year career With 3 superintendents in 3 years, what's next for Keller ISD?—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The children who would have traded their own existence for a cooler planet have already been born.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
-
This isn’t some fashion formula that’s difficult to decode; these beautiful dresses are easily toughened up with slouchy leather boots to create a cool juxtaposition for day and look just as swell with open toe mules for springtime evenings.—
Adam Mansuroglu,
WWD,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Add half the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until combined.—
Angelica Stabile,
Fox News,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Allowing linens the opportunity to air dry will increase their longevity and stop them from getting musty.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Universities and businesses can collaborate with property management companies to offer housing stipends or reserved spots for international students.—
Botir Nasridinov,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
-
There’s a reserved spot in hell for the s*** stains pursuing this vile campaign to erase trans people.—
Andrew Sheeler,
Sacramento Bee,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This time could be different, yet the greater risk may be staying aloof and missing out on economic growth and corporate profits.—
Jeff Sommer,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Take, for example, Apple’s 2013 holiday ad, Misunderstood — a poignant narrative about a seemingly aloof teenager expressing love in his way.—
Bill Schiffmiller,
Forbes,
30 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Hong’s withdrawn gaze is interrupted by sudden movements, like pans across space and crash zooms into ongoing conversations.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Solitary, eccentric, shrouded in a mystical melancholy, Joakim fights for his farm and leads a withdrawn life, with only his pets and a neighbor for company; a Slovak immigrant who also lives ostracized, as an outsider.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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