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
Relevance
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
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
-
And while observatories in space and on the ground can give some clues about exoplanets, stars themselves are crucial to understanding these distant worlds.—
Elizabeth Landau,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 Mar. 2025
-
And someday, our current limitations will also become remnants of distant tournament history.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The property comes with a detached garage with a stylish glass garage door and a car charger.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
29 Mar. 2025
-
The designation includes the original detached garage, pool and relevant landscape design elements.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
But the weather is expected to be cold and rainy in Chicago.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2025
-
The nights are cold still, though bundling up is certainly an option.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Adichie’s protagonists are independent and deeply ambivalent, not so much aloof as detached, both from their love interests and from their own desires and aspirations.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2025
-
There’s a certain traditional stereotype of actors as people who are arrogant or self-confident, the sort of people who are overly serious, aloof, or pretentious.—
Callum Booth,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
These keep you cool in spring and summer and play nicely with pants made of similar materials.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Let cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes, then turn out of pans and let cool completely, about 1 hour.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Southern Living,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
But Vientos was surprised to find out that someone who plays with so much flair on the field was so reserved.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Cartagena, Spain, won third prize for its assistance to people with disabilities bathing at popular beaches, and for reserved accessible seats at public events.—
Troy Aidan Sambajon,
The Christian Science Monitor,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Nicky Jam has released his first project since facing stark backlash for his (withdrawn) endorsement of Donald Trump.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Children may express anxiety by becoming distant, withdrawn, agitated, upset, or avoiding social contact.8 4.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Standoffish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoffish. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share