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
Malia Griggs, Glamour, 20 Jan. 2026
For ages, London's culinary reputation—perhaps best defined by fish and chips at neighborhood pubs, (excellent) curry shops, and buttoned-up afternoon teas—seemed to lag behind global counterparts like Paris and Tokyo.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 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
Front-of-house is equally as buttoned-up as the behind-the-scenes service; warm concierge greet you at the entrance and speedy housekeeping services seem to instinctively know when to swoop in for their twice-daily visits (both cleaning and turn-down) in order to remain unseen.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Dec. 2025
Trevor Rosen wore a traditional black suit and Brad Tursi wore a buttoned-up black jacket and dress pants.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 20 Nov. 2025
Around midnight, unofficial results in all of the races and proposals in the county were buttoned-up and showing on the county website.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 8 Nov. 2025
And other CEOs don’t like their meetings to be so buttoned-up, just like Faulkner.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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
For ages, London's culinary reputation—perhaps best defined by fish and chips at neighborhood pubs, (excellent) curry shops, and buttoned-up afternoon teas—seemed to lag behind global counterparts like Paris and Tokyo.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 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
Front-of-house is equally as buttoned-up as the behind-the-scenes service; warm concierge greet you at the entrance and speedy housekeeping services seem to instinctively know when to swoop in for their twice-daily visits (both cleaning and turn-down) in order to remain unseen.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Dec. 2025
Trevor Rosen wore a traditional black suit and Brad Tursi wore a buttoned-up black jacket and dress pants.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 20 Nov. 2025
Around midnight, unofficial results in all of the races and proposals in the county were buttoned-up and showing on the county website.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 8 Nov. 2025
And other CEOs don’t like their meetings to be so buttoned-up, just like Faulkner.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttoned-up
Adjective
-
Ambiente features 40 atriums—all detached and private, with 180-degree views of nature—and rooftops that provide even better views.—
Asonta Benetti,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
-
But sitting tight at one’s job has, for many, resulted in feeling detached, trapped, and resentful; over time, staying in a role you’re mentally checked out of can even fuel burnout.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Although Mercury was close enough to the Sun and small enough that its atmosphere was fully stripped away long ago, Venus was more distant and more massive, and managed to hold onto its more massive molecular species, particularly its carbon dioxide.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The movie’s vision is one of arrangements and connections, stylistic and textural clashes of hulking buildings, stark forms seen in distant vistas, sublime coincidences of collective energy thrumming from generation to generation in the simultaneity of the physical city’s chronological strata.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Temperatures could repeatedly drop well below seasonal averages, with some cold snaps 20 to 30 degrees colder than normal, forecasts suggest.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Feb. 2026
-
His family-run nursery specializes in growing cold-hardy citrus trees.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Carden-Lovell recommends splurging on time off, taking advantage of shoulder season's lower prices, thinner crowds and cooler weather (outside spring break periods, of course).—
Natalie B. Compton The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The air 15 to 20 degrees cooler than usual, the 60s for Saturday morning qualifying and Saturday afternoon’s race.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Add to reserved drippings in skillet; cook over medium-high until browned on two sides, about 2 minutes per side.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Melbourne Park does have three smaller show courts with capacities between 3,000 and 5,000 and no reserved seating.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buttoned-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttoned-up. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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