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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of buttoned-up
Jesse Granger, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Is their family more buttoned-up?
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2025
Brown may never be called buttoned-up.
—Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
Most people on LinkedIn try to be professional, buttoned-up, and safe.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
After centuries of weathering and exposure, the colors seen in historical homes today can appear muted and buttoned-up, even drab.
—Cornelia Powers, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024
It can be worn buttoned-up or open over a mock turtleneck with jeans.
—Emily Weaver, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024
Use it as a layering piece or wear it buttoned-up on its own.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2024
The Bottom Line The era of buttoned-up, corporate talk is over.
—Lindsey Groepper, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Both teams were so buttoned-up defensively that the best players had to fight for every inch.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Is their family more buttoned-up?
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2025
Brown may never be called buttoned-up.
—Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
Most people on LinkedIn try to be professional, buttoned-up, and safe.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
After centuries of weathering and exposure, the colors seen in historical homes today can appear muted and buttoned-up, even drab.
—Cornelia Powers, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024
It can be worn buttoned-up or open over a mock turtleneck with jeans.
—Emily Weaver, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024
Use it as a layering piece or wear it buttoned-up on its own.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2024
The Bottom Line The era of buttoned-up, corporate talk is over.
—Lindsey Groepper, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttoned-up
Adjective
-
Having lived in a 400-square-foot accessory dwelling unit over a detached garage in California before moving to Colorado, Barr was the only person on the council in favor of adopting the Neighborhood Housing Opportunities initiative.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2025
-
The detached garage, at the back of the driveway, holds one car.—
Angela Serratore,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That changed with ecclesiastical reforms introduced under Pope Gregory X, who mandated a minimum 10-day waiting period to allow time for prayer and reflection—and for distant cardinals to travel to Rome.—
Barney Henderson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
-
At least eight other Iowa hospitals have stopped offering inpatient mental health care since 2007, forcing people in crisis to seek help at distant facilities.—
Tony Leys,
NPR,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
South of the border: 'Too scary' U.S. industries are already feeling a cold wind from up north.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
-
In colder regions, plants can be grown as an annual or overwintered indoors as a houseplant.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
During the performance, the sky was clear with few clouds, and the ocean breeze kept the temperature pleasantly cool.—
Billboard Brasil,
Billboard,
5 May 2025
-
Citizens of Humanity Ayla baggy cuffed mid-rise straight-leg jeans $260 NET-A-PORTER 3.1 Phillip Lim ballet flat $395 NORDSTROM Bring a touch of cool to your denim with of-the-moment sneakerinas.—
Renata Joffre,
Vogue,
4 May 2025
Adjective
-
Still, the same words are used to describe him: quiet, reserved, introverted.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
-
The ultra-private first lady's public wardrobe ranges from more muted looks, that match her reserved personality, to punchy statement pieces that better fit her husband's Truth Social feed.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buttoned-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttoned-up. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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