aloofness
noun
aloof·ness
ə-ˈlüf-nəs 
: the quality or state of being aloof or emotionally distant
Her aloofness … did not endear her to the rest of the company …—
Marybeth Kerrigan
Marybeth Kerrigan… there was an aloofness in him which the boys and I could never quite bridge.—Mildred D. Taylor
Mildred D. TaylorHis aloofness was … born more of insecurity than of arrogance …—David Cannadine
David Cannadine… was respected for his military tenacity and his surprising aloofness from party favoritism.—Simon Schama
Simon SchamaExamples of aloofness in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The 52-year-old who grew up in privilege in San Diego, played high school golf with Phil Mickelson and graduated from Cal Poly before moving to Modesto to sell fertilizer for a living, addresses a character trait the media often seized upon and jurors found off-putting: aloofness.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
In general, Seoul prefers to maintain a degree of ambiguity in its relationship with China—something many Americans perceive as indecisiveness or aloofness toward the United States.
—Duyeon Kim, Foreign Affairs, 26 Jan. 2021
Particularly the girls who are so desperate to belong, what struck me is how much at odds this is from the view of autism as an aloofness — as if autistic individuals aren’t interested in social contact.
—Matt Villano, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
When someone offers a straight-arm handshake, creating more distance between him or her and the other person, it’s processed as distrust, aloofness, or reserve.
—Carol Kinsey Goman, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aloofness
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Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
In general, Seoul prefers to maintain a degree of ambiguity in its relationship with China—something many Americans perceive as indecisiveness or aloofness toward the United States.
—Duyeon Kim, Foreign Affairs, 26 Jan. 2021
Particularly the girls who are so desperate to belong, what struck me is how much at odds this is from the view of autism as an aloofness — as if autistic individuals aren’t interested in social contact.
—Matt Villano, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
When someone offers a straight-arm handshake, creating more distance between him or her and the other person, it’s processed as distrust, aloofness, or reserve.
—Carol Kinsey Goman, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aloofness
Cite this Entry
“Aloofness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aloofness. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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