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)
Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 6 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
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
Verb
But whether the buttoned-up or conciliatory responses are the right tack is still an open question.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 6 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttoned (up)
Adjective
-
And, true to Hidden Hills’ equestrian roots, a detached horse stable stands ready to support an active lifestyle.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Someone Almost Killed Thing Before the identities of the Hyde and its master were revealed, someone stabbed Thing, the detached hand that is the Addams family’s companion, in the back and left him hanging in Wednesday’s room.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
And with their echo for an instant echoes of the first poetry in our lives come back like music that fades into the distant night.—
Gregory Jusdanis,
Literary Hub,
12 Aug. 2025
-
The future of regenerative medicine, once hypothetical and distant, now approaches with real hope for curing—not simply managing—a host of devastating chronic conditions.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The Sanctuary wellness retreat will feature fitness studios, cold plunge pools, saunas and massage rooms.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Police are making a plea to the public once again for help solving a cold case on the 14th anniversary of a couple being shot and killed in Norwalk.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s a moment in indie film right now where there’s a lot of cool films and theaters, and people are going, if not in huge numbers.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
8 Aug. 2025
-
But otherwise, exercising occasionally in the heat isn’t going to make a difference for your overall cardiovascular health or fitness versus doing similar workouts in a cooler space, Dr. Crandall says.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Greyhound assigned seating and conflict There’s not widespread awareness of the policy, and some passengers meet with resistance from others who have settled into reserved seats not assigned to them and are reluctant to give them up.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
5 Aug. 2025
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The school will provided ticketed reserved sections for football and basketball.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buttoned (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttoned%20%28up%29. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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