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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
Angela Rayner Starmer is often criticized for being buttoned-up and lawyerly. — Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 May 2026 Aidala is folksy, while Agnifilo is more buttoned-up. — ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026 Raquel Welch brought her signature va-va-voom and fashion-forward style to the Oscars, with low necklines, high slits, and daring silhouettes, during a time when the ceremony dress code was much more (literally) buttoned-up. — Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026 The new offering, however, seems more buttoned-up. — Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026 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
  • On a map, Newfoundland is a vast, asymmetrical island, cloven by bays and inlets, semi-detached to appendages of land deformed by ancient glaciers scraping over it, leaving glacial striations, grooves and gouges on its granite face.
    — Paul Theroux, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
  • As the suffragettes smile and party all around her, Lizzie looks distant and detached.
    — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of detached
Adjective
  • To the left and right are the high ramparts of Sleeping Bear Dunes, the distant wedge that is South Manitou Island and unbelievably blue water.
    — Mike Norton, Midwest Living, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The nation's constant refrain — stay out of our internal affairs — reflects its history of trying to secure the edges of the country that are distant from Beijing.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of distant
Adjective
  • Yes; there are spa treatments as well as a sauna, cold plunge, and hot tub circuit rooted in a traditional Ahousaht bathing ritual.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026
  • So much of the last season with Charlie [Hunnam] was Charlie [as Ed Gein] in a barn or in a cold house talking to himself.
    — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • After a cool weekend, and even some brief evening rain for parts of the Central Valley including Sacramento late Sunday, the Golden State is set to bounce back with above-average temperatures as October fast approaches.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • So washing less, and with cooler water rather than hot, could genuinely help our scalp health—especially in colder weather and shifting climates.
    — Anita Bhagwandas, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of cool
Adjective
  • Return the meatballs to the skillet along with the reserved pineapple tidbits and ½ cup chopped green bell pepper.
    — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Aidaya has introduced SuiSui, a reserved ticketing system designed for restaurants, in which customers get priority entry by paying a fee separate from the meal cost.
    — Masayuki Oi Japan News, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 2026.

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