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
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
Gail Baines is buttoned-up, repressed school administrator who struggles to connect to people, including her co-workers, her daughter Debbie, and her ex-husband, Max.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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
Gail Baines is buttoned-up, repressed school administrator who struggles to connect to people, including her co-workers, her daughter Debbie, and her ex-husband, Max.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 30 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttoned-up
Adjective
-
Out back, there’s a sleek new pool and detached garage, primed for conversion.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The report further indicates that there was one dead rodent in the attached garage, and across the three detached garages, investigators encountered one live rodent, one dead rodent, one nest, and one building with gnaw marks.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Or maybe one dreams of leaving a dying Earth to colonize Mars or other distant planets.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
25 Apr. 2025
-
But for the church officials and the families at Holy Family Church, the pope was not a distant religious figure in a faraway country, but a daily presence.—
Bilal Shbeir,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Pretty Touches Furnishings and accessories can be used as multifunctional pieces to add charm so the space does not look too cold and office-like, says Daley.—
Stacey Zable,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
What To Know In most states, SNAP beneficiaries are able to purchase only cold foods for preparation at home, as well as snacks and drinks.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In addition to cool designs like Area 51 and glow-in-the-dark circuits, the company is creating Switch 2-specific skins.—
Anthony Karcz,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
-
According to meteorologists at AccuWeather, a slow-moving storm is expected to push inland from Friday into Saturday, bringing a surge of cooler, moist air across the Southwest.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Who better to go searching for unidentified flying objects than a snobbish TV host and a reserved extraterrestrial enthusiast?—
Geordon Wollner,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
There are two color schemes to choose between—a reserved palette featuring navy blue and green for a calm, sophisticated look; and a vibrant rainbow palette for those who enjoy bright, energetic colors.—
Emma Kershaw,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buttoned-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttoned-up. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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