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
Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Trevor Rosen wore a traditional black suit and Brad Tursi wore a buttoned-up black jacket and dress pants.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 20 Nov. 2025
Around midnight, unofficial results in all of the races and proposals in the county were buttoned-up and showing on the county website.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 8 Nov. 2025
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
Adjective
Cowley was more buttoned-up and shrewd about getting on in the world.
—Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Trevor Rosen wore a traditional black suit and Brad Tursi wore a buttoned-up black jacket and dress pants.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 20 Nov. 2025
Around midnight, unofficial results in all of the races and proposals in the county were buttoned-up and showing on the county website.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 8 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttoned-up
Adjective
-
Some feel detached, as if the shock still lingered, and the realization of survival despite the improbability had not set in.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
23 Dec. 2025
-
Other structures out on the property include a detached and heated garage with studio space and a barn with horse stalls and a workshop.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
18 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The recognition also reflects a shift at CES 2026, where many robotics companies emphasized real-world deployment timelines instead of distant promises.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Ole Miss likely had the rooting interest of many in America, and not only because the Rebels’ modest history in the sport boasted only one recognized national championship, and that one in distant 1960.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The slick material keeps chafing to a minimum during workouts, and the brushed inside is so soft against the skin and helps keep cold air out and your body heat in.—
Olivia Dubyak,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The heating coils are wrapped tightly and distributed evenly throughout the throw, providing consistent warmth without noticeable cold spots.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Having no cool aunt of my own and no elder sisters, just teenage babysitters and camp counselors (each with their own unique but tenuous grasp on anatomy and reproductive science), the book felt warm, inviting, and—perhaps most important to my terrified, bleeding, self—safe.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The porous polymer coating that reflects up to 97 percent of sunlight and radiates heat into the air, keeping surfaces up to six degrees cooler than the surrounding air even under direct sun.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Free, or $32 for a reserved seat and book copy.—
La Jolla Light,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Stir in the reserved sausage, beans and turnip greens.—
Erin Merhar,
Southern Living,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buttoned-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttoned-up. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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