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)
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
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
Verb
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttoned (up)
Adjective
-
The house features four bedrooms and one bathrooms. 2. $9.7 million, single-family residence in the 100 block of Pineview Lane A sale has been finalized for the detached house in the 100 block of Pineview Lane in Menlo Park.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
26 June 2025
-
Prices hold steady Home prices remained stable, with the median sale price for a detached home rising about 1 percent month-over-month to $665,000.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
Growing up, my family would occasionally pile into the car and drive to distant locations for very brief vacations.—
Jason Foodman,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
-
The Iranian regime’s nuclear ambitions are not some distant diplomatic dispute.—
Laurence Milstein,
Sun Sentinel,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Strategic commenting can lead to five-figure contracts without cold pitching.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
First, a quick refresher on freezing: The super cold temp—freezers should be set to zero degrees Fahrenheit or lower—stalls the growth of bacteria and other organisms.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
The floral prints just feel right everywhere, from the lavender fields of Provence to the vibrant streets of Lisbon, and the lightweight fabric keeps me cool in the hottest temperatures.—
Claire Gallam,
Travel + Leisure,
6 July 2025
-
This keeps living spaces cooler and saves money, CEO of Green Doors Joseph Holman told the outlet, as air conditioning units don't have to work as hard to keep spaces chilled.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
Tillman, who is generally more reserved than spotlight-chasing players in his role, strode up and shanked his attempt off the post to his left, perhaps hampered by the foul on his plant leg.—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
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The reserved Federal lands and interests in lands encompass approximately 0.12 acres.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buttoned (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttoned%20%28up%29. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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