aloofness

noun

Definition of aloofnessnext
1
as in indifference

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words
2
as in distance

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 aloofness And although that single failure doesn’t disqualify him from being able to lead, some of his other qualities — obsessive perfectionism, hyper-focus that can come off as aloofness, a tendency to go his own way — aren’t always serving him well in tense moments such as this one. — Michael Silver, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026 Remaining silent may shroud those in power in a cloak of untouchability, projecting confidence in their authority — but also aloofness. — Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025 Throughout many revealing conversations, the braggadocious zeal of Poseidon and Zeus, the sexy aloofness of Aphrodite and Dionysus, and the sniveling bitchery of Hermes and Hypnos were endearing, but all gave way to flawed people who grew deeply over time. — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025 Reached by phone, the father comes off as a cold, uncaring man, and Pacino portrays him with chilling aloofness. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aloofness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aloofness
  1. indifference
  2. distance
  3. unconcern
  4. composure
  5. shyness
  6. bashfulness
  7. modesty
  8. reticence
Noun
  • For arrivals willing to submit to the experimental, ever-evolving social structure, and to the limitations that were placed on newcomers, the technologically superior Eiquans professed an indifference that amounted to a willing welcome.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Conversely, an indifference to this tightening may invoke memories of Powell's 2018 'auto-pilot' remarks in reference to that tightening episode.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of indifference
Noun
  • Third downs against the Rebels were tough sledding; the Tigers’ average third-down distance was from 8 yards out.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
  • More than half a million children cannot attend school in Sierra Leone due to costs, food insecurity and long, unsafe distances to school, Garland learned.
    — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of distance
Noun
  • The book’s occasional oases of self-examination are surrounded by dusty expanses of omission and unconcern.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025
  • Whatever the reason, Maxwell’s strength and the shark’s apparent unconcern put one of Maxwell’s friends in danger.
    — Donald Millus, Outdoor Life, 3 July 2025
Definition of unconcern
Noun
  • In eleven years of service, Masha had never heard her mistress speak with such lack of composure.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Lily responds with monk-like composure in response to Jackie’s rude queries.
    — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of composure
Noun
  • What is striking is that all these versions agree on her shyness, modesty, and propriety.
    — Eva Blanco Medina, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Instead of focusing on adventurous missions like PAW Patrol, Super Monsters emphasizes the more emotional aspects of childhood, like overcoming shyness, being a good friend, and learning from your mistakes.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of shyness
Noun
  • Her skin—something known as Frubber, a porous patented blend of fleshlike elastic polymers—stretched over a structure of plastic and titanium, and there was no flicker of bashfulness.
    — Dan Turello, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
Definition of bashfulness
Noun
  • New life for the Armstrong house Schreiber, who grew up in Dayton, about 60 miles south of Armstrong’s hometown, always admired him for his achievements, modesty and character.
    — John Seewer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The black mesh gown swept the floor and featured a plunging V-neck bodice and pink crystallized adornments throughout, offering the musician a modicum of modesty in specific areas.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of modesty
Noun
  • Serena tells him his former boss Elliott Wyatt recommended him highly, which is strange given his former reticence.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Anderson matches his subject’s reticence with a similarly spartan approach.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of reticence

Browse Nearby Words

aloofly
aloofness
a lot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aloofness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aloofness. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of puissant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All