buttoned-up 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbə-tᵊnd-ˈəp How to pronounce buttoned-up (audio)
Definition of buttoned-upnext
as in detached
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others a buttoned-up colleague who had no interest in talking about anything but work, even at parties

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

buttoned (up)

2 of 2

verb

past tense of button (up)
as in zipped (up)

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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 buttoned-up
Adjective
The new offering, however, seems more buttoned-up. — Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026 Amazon has plenty of excellent work dresses that feel buttoned-up without being boring—and that are suitable for a range of office environments. — Malia Griggs, Glamour, 20 Jan. 2026 The fun retro glasses seemed to rebel against gear that was getting as buttoned-up as the world, which has felt a bit heavier and more serious in the last five to ten years. — Lily Ritter, Outside, 14 Jan. 2026 Cowley was more buttoned-up and shrewd about getting on in the world. — Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for buttoned-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttoned-up
  1. detached
  2. distant
  3. cold
  4. cool
  5. reserved
Adjective
  • Or a pig’s leg lying off to the side, detached and jittering, could resemble Ted’s leg.
    — Will Mackin, New Yorker, 28 June 2026
  • They got approved for a mortgage on a £150,000 (about $198,441) two-bedroom, semi-detached house in Seaham, England.
    — Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 20 June 2026
Definition of detached
Adjective
  • As the Coast Starlight approaches the Bay Area, the train glides past marshlands, open water, and distant city skylines before continuing toward California’s Central Coast.
    — Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
  • They were received by distant unknown relatives and made their way to Kensington, Illinois, a railroad community on Chicago’s South Side, historically tied to Calumet Junction and the industrial economy that helped shape the region.
    — Phil Kafarakis, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of distant
Adjective
  • Keep your ride clean Over the life of owning a car, especially in colder areas, salt and road grime can dull paint and cause rust on the underbody of your vehicles, according to Consumer Reports.
    — Keith Laing, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • The clinical home ecosystem has become the defining phrase of the 2025 to 2026 wellness spending cycle, as buyers stack cold plunges, red light beds and neurotech into serious at-home recovery setups.
    — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • The fabric feels cool against my skin and never sticks or clings, even on warmer nights.
    — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
  • Of course, when training in heat and humidity, staying hydrated is critical as well as attempts to stay as cool as possible when training during hot temperatures.
    — Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of cool
Adjective
  • An opportunity to benefit from FIFA’s litigious inconsistencies, which usually feel reserved for the A-list stars.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 July 2026
  • The American Express Platinum Card® comes with access to Amex Experiences, which gets you special access to presale, reserved and preferred tickets.
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Definition of reserved

Browse Nearby Words

buttoned
buttoned-up
buttoned (up)
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Cite this Entry

“Buttoned-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttoned-up. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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