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
Adjective
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
-
There’s a gated driveway and car port tucked way off and alley, and a detached prefab ADU by Jason Halter of Wonder has a outside entrance from the street and adds another bedroom.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
14 June 2025
-
Managing national security affairs is not a detached experiment.—
Arthur House,
Hartford Courant,
12 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
-
But far from being from a distant cosmic source, researchers determined that the fast radio burst (FRB) actually came from the 60's satellite in Earth orbit.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
And Some Ice Cream Cream City Ice Cream & Coffeehouse has more than 40 homemade flavors to choose from, plus hot and cold espresso drinks.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
22 June 2025
-
Tooth sensitivity, also known as dentin hypersensitivity, causes tooth pain in response to heat, cold, air flow, or light touch.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
Millions of people in the U.S. are trying to stay cool as the summer's first major heat wave continues to create dangerous conditions across the Midwest and along the East Coast.—
Julia Simon,
NPR,
24 June 2025
-
Experts say there are ways to save while still staying cool this summer.—
Talia Wexler,
CNBC,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
And after all of that: a reserved viewing space on Pier 17.—
Laurie Werner,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
-
Eastern Conference executive No. 2: More quiet, on the reserved side.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buttoned-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttoned-up. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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