Synonyms of buttoned-up

buttoned-up 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbə-tᵊnd-ˈəp 

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

• detached
• distant
• cold
• cool
• reserved
• dry
• aloof
• standoffish
• remote
• timid
• antisocial
• professional
• withdrawn
• unbending
• frosty
• clinical
• asocial
• unsociable
• silent
• shy
• cold-eyed
• offish
• hard
• reclusive
• introverted
• standoff
• unclubbable
• misanthropic
• dispassionate
• taciturn
• recessive
• unsocial
• impersonal
• indifferent
• disinterested
• unconcerned
• apathetic
• reticent
• diffident
• uninterested
• uncommunicative
• incurious
• indrawn
• cliquish
• nongregarious
• cliquey
• clubbish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• social
• warm
• friendly
• cordial
• sociable
• convivial
• extroverted
• outgoing
• gregarious
• companionable
• expansive
• talkative
• communicative
• garrulous
• clubby
• boon
• affable
• genial
• folksy
• hospitable
• gracious
• clubbable
• amiable
• congenial
• agreeable
• neighborly
• kindly

buttoned (up)

2 of 2

verb

past tense of button (up)

as in zipped (up)

Related Words

• zipped (up)
• locked
• clasped
• fastened
• barred
• shut
• latched
• bolted
• closed

Dissimilar Words

• opened
• unlocked
• unfastened
• unlatched
• unbuttoned
• unzipped
• unfolded
• unclosed
• unclasped
• unfurled
• unbolted
• unbarred
• unclenched

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of buttoned-up

Adjective

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