as in distant
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others
she was consistently surly and offish with the would-be suitors who came calling
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Recent Examples of offish
So long as that situation continues, the 43-year-old’s allegedly arrogant and stand-offish treatment of his players will not worry the club hierarchy too much.
—
Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
They weren’t being stand-offish, not at all.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Richard’s other big ally is undervalued and initially stand-offish plant engineer Clarence C. Baker (Dennis Haysbert), who eventually warms to Richard’s interest in his machines, and who encourages him to think big.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Mar. 2023
Guzmán said the stereotype that Germans are stand-offish is way off the mark.
—Soudi Jiménezescritor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2022
But announcements on two continents in the last week show that showing the stand-offish situation is changing, with Royal Dutch Shell and General Motors hooking up in the US and BP buying into a BMW-Daimler charging joint venture in Europe.
—Michael Taylor, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2021
Off fans will also find a few cakes, including the show-offish Swedish Prinsesstårta.
—Kate Krader, Bloomberg.com, 13 Nov. 2020
The plaza between the two buildings makes the complex feel open and welcoming, not overbearing or stand-offish.
—Steven Litt, cleveland, 4 Oct. 2020
Most of the mentor-teacher characters in kung fu films are extremely stand-offish and intimidating.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 1 July 2020
Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
They weren’t being stand-offish, not at all.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Richard’s other big ally is undervalued and initially stand-offish plant engineer Clarence C. Baker (Dennis Haysbert), who eventually warms to Richard’s interest in his machines, and who encourages him to think big.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Mar. 2023
Guzmán said the stereotype that Germans are stand-offish is way off the mark.
—Soudi Jiménezescritor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2022
But announcements on two continents in the last week show that showing the stand-offish situation is changing, with Royal Dutch Shell and General Motors hooking up in the US and BP buying into a BMW-Daimler charging joint venture in Europe.
—Michael Taylor, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2021
Off fans will also find a few cakes, including the show-offish Swedish Prinsesstårta.
—Kate Krader, Bloomberg.com, 13 Nov. 2020
The plaza between the two buildings makes the complex feel open and welcoming, not overbearing or stand-offish.
—Steven Litt, cleveland, 4 Oct. 2020
Most of the mentor-teacher characters in kung fu films are extremely stand-offish and intimidating.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 1 July 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offish
Adjective
-
The distant rumble of the Central line is a reminder that the real world lurks outside this cosseted haven.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Mom got in some distant cousin’s car within twenty minutes of arriving, which wasn’t surprising.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Multiple reports have said Frogmore was two semi-detached homes before Queen Elizabeth gave it to her grandson, Harry, and his bride, Meghan, as a wedding present.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
-
In contrast to this ribald directness, Kokopeli’s playsets feature characters who appear detached and disconnected.—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
The attentive staff carries complimentary sunscreen, cold towels, and mango juice shots straight to your lounge chair.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
At this point, the coffee that remains in their cups has gone cold, and our time is almost up.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
That guy selling records seems pretty cool.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
-
The dark spirit might be more commonly thought of as a cozy, cool-weather sipper or associated with booze-forward drinks served up, but there’s plenty of reason to enjoy it in the summer too, and this cocktail proves why.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
During these dry winter months, game viewing peaks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Once a major city on Rome’s ancient trade route, Jerash was buried and preserved by the dry climate for centuries until excavations began in 1925.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Liam is slightly more reserved and is the lethal, heavy finisher.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
Fetterman's criticism of Platner marks a break from other Senate Democrats, who have been more reserved on the issue.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
As Molloy gradually succeeds in puncturing Lestat’s aloof, arrogant outer shell, his sound correspondingly shifts from assaultive punk to more contemplative ballads.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
7 June 2026
-
Those artists were ironic and aloof, treating advertising and mass-media imagery as expressions of a broader fug of celebrity and consumerism.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Patrick Stewart is also among those to have publicly discussed working with a withdrawn Hardy, who has also starred in The Dark Knight trilogy, Peaky Blinders and the Venom films.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2026
-
Read more on the deadly ripple effects of withdrawn aid.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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