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, 18 Mar. 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
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
Adjective
London — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer – buttoned-up, lawyerly, reserved – is not a man prone to effusiveness.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 18 Mar. 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttoned-up
Adjective
-
Upon arrival, crews encountered a detached garage fire, with exposure concerns to nearby structures, the news release said.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The fire also damaged two neighboring houses and a detached garage.—
Robert A. Cronkleton
March 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This film is about the government ordering the elderly to relocate to distant housing colonies to maximize economic productivity.—
Adam Bell
April 2,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
And to look at a distant, standardized class of object (most often type Ia supernovae) in the Universe that can be observed at a variety of distances to extrapolate how the Universe has expanded over the timespan that the light has traveled from those objects to our eyes.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Cover loosely with plastic wrap and chill until filling is set and cake is cold, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Baristas sprinkled shredded phyllo dough over top heaps of cold foam.—
Jenna Thompson
April 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, some good news is in the forecast for the drought- and heat-plagued West, as a cool, wet and even snowy pattern is forecast to bring some relief that's desperately needed across the region.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
In the Philippines, government offices are now open just four days a week and bureaucrats must limit the use of air conditioning to nothing cooler than 75°F (24°C).—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In a bowl, stir together the eggs, cream, half the cheese, cayenne and reserved shrimp mixture until blended.—
Georgeanne Brennan,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Admission is free, but reserved seating is limited.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buttoned-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttoned-up. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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