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
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Recent Examples of buttoned-up
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Aidala is folksy, while Agnifilo is more buttoned-up.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
There's ample space across two floors—the taproom downstairs is looser, the parlor upstairs a bit more buttoned-up and spirits-oriented.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 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
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
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
There's ample space across two floors—the taproom downstairs is looser, the parlor upstairs a bit more buttoned-up and spirits-oriented.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttoned-up
Adjective
-
Three children who were playing hide-and-seek spotted a cat floating on the surface of the water in the garden of an unoccupied semi-detached home.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
-
Over time, the bond between the sliding frame and the glass can deteriorate, causing the moonroof glass to become detached while the car is operating.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Each time, brown leaves that had drifted from distant trees quivered and spun on the surface.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
The intricate arches perfectly frame patches of sky or distant mountains.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Few things feel as satisfying as a cold drink of water after mowing the lawn on a hot afternoon, finishing a tough workout or waking up thirsty in the middle of the night.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
-
The heat wave can contribute to the lack of sea ice extent because there is not reflective white ice surface to keep it cold, Neff said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
The point is more accurate typing, perhaps Plus cool keyboard shortcuts for launching your apps!—
David Pogue,
CBS News,
7 Dec. 2025
-
Architects Michael Kemper Goodwin and Rolph Oswald designed the building like an inverted pyramid so that none of the walls would receive direct sunlight, keeping the building cool in Arizona’s scorching summers.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
7 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Garnish with the reserved bacon and some fresh thyme, and dinner is served.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
2 Dec. 2025
-
Add reserved chicken and greens to soup.—
Kathryn Gregory,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buttoned-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttoned-up. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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