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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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
Butlers, once portrayed as buttoned-up, silver tray-carrying domestics, now manage complex staff, technology, security and logistics across multiple properties. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 10 July 2026 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 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
  • The problem is the acting, which is broad, detached and, frankly, often amateurish.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The exterior entry and upper-level access of the detached, two-story guesthouse.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of detached
Adjective
  • An exuberant pre-dawn sky — filled with large, bright stars, a luminous crescent moon, and blue and white swirls — dominates the landscape featuring a prominent cypress tree and distant hillside village.
    — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The changes include allowing the adoption of distant male relatives raised as commoners to become royals and father future heirs, and letting princesses keep their royal status after marrying commoners.
    — Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of distant
Adjective
  • After starting in the middle of the night, candidates get about four hours of sleep over the next five days and complete tasks like carrying logs, launching boats into crashing waves, lying in cold ocean water and running around 200 miles.
    — James LaPorta, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Doing so before the plant is fully dormant can encourage new growth, which will be vulnerable to cold damage when cooler weather arrives.
    — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • Cardboard boxes and paper bags of food items being stored directly on floor of walk-in cooler and dry storage area.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Using tongs, immediately transfer to a large bowl of ice water and let cool.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of cool
Adjective
  • Texas Football season ticket holders will not have access to their reserved seats for the show, and there aren’t any presales through Texas Athletics.
    — Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Santaland will be located on the eighth floor, featuring Santa photos, festive treats and surprises with select dates open to the public and others for reserved appointments.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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