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 Allaire, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2025
And other CEOs don’t like their meetings to be so buttoned-up, just like Faulkner.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025
But whether the buttoned-up or conciliatory responses are the right tack is still an open question.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
The button-down shirt Pop the collar, roll up the sleeves, wear it loose or completely buttoned-up—a relaxed button-down shirt is an easygoing layer that adds instant polish to jeans and full skirts.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2025
In an industry that can feel so buttoned-up, Bashment offers something sacred: release.
—Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 24 June 2025
One was that league investigators would be more buttoned-up and by the book, with the benefit of attorney-client privilege as well.
—Evan Drellich, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Jost is clean-cut and buttoned-up; Sherman is young and hip.
—Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 17 May 2025
Verb
This last one had modern detailing on it too, including an asymmetric, buttoned-up silhouette and tapered trousers.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2025
And other CEOs don’t like their meetings to be so buttoned-up, just like Faulkner.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025
But whether the buttoned-up or conciliatory responses are the right tack is still an open question.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
The button-down shirt Pop the collar, roll up the sleeves, wear it loose or completely buttoned-up—a relaxed button-down shirt is an easygoing layer that adds instant polish to jeans and full skirts.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2025
In an industry that can feel so buttoned-up, Bashment offers something sacred: release.
—Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 24 June 2025
One was that league investigators would be more buttoned-up and by the book, with the benefit of attorney-client privilege as well.
—Evan Drellich, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Jost is clean-cut and buttoned-up; Sherman is young and hip.
—Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 17 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttoned (up)
Adjective
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But in listening to separate end-of-season reflections from Tucker and Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, both sides sound detached.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
In the detached home market, there are 9,001 active listings year-to-date, according to the Denver Metro Association of Realtors’ monthly report.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Burns decided to take on the Revolution as his next project in the waning months of the Obama administration, a moment that may feel as distant from today as the war itself.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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Our dream of going back to the moon and onto Mars and more distant worlds—not least to ensure our species’ survival before the sun flames out and engulfs most of the solar system—can be seen as just one more step in evolution’s long march.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Persistent winds came first from the South then switched with even colder winds coming from the North.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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Starting November 4 at participating Whataburger locations, customers can enjoy the new Frosted Berry Whatafresher, a frosty drink blend featuring sweet blackberry flavor, including real blueberry bursties, and a cloud of cold whip.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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And someone who is a great listener, respectful, caring, chilled out, someone who supports my dreams – and is cool with my chaos!—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
26 Oct. 2025
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Traditionally, potatoes sprout in cool weather in late winter or spring.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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James logged 19 minutes off the bench, which was the second-most for a Hornets’ reserved.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Oct. 2025
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Using the fourth small reserved piece of dough, divide and make 3 balls the size of a key lime and 3 logs 1-inch across, then equally divide the rest of the dough into 3 balls about the size of a small plum, about 2½ inches around.—
Jason Mastrodonato,
Mercury News,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buttoned (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttoned%20%28up%29. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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