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
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
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
-
Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of miles, clouding skies and choking air quality in distant cities.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The comet will be too distant for a real close-up look.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Jorma Taccone, the Lonely Island member and former Saturday Night Live writer, suffered a shattered pelvis and a detached sacrum in a 20-foot fall from a ladder at his farmhouse in Connecticut.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
-
For leaders wary of appearing cold or detached, the appeal is undeniable.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Owalas are made with stainless steel, so water stays cold for hours, and the 16-ounce size is ideal for the younger kid crowd.—
Chaunie Brusie,
Parents,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Wash it all down with a cold beer.—
Caroline Ritzie,
The Enquirer,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Waterspouts tend to form when the air is cool and moist, and the water is near its warmest.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
After months of summer heat, cooler temperatures are a welcome shift, but along with sweater weather and falling leaves come dwindling daylight hours.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
These seemingly innocuous actions can kindle dry grass, potentially triggering a wildfire.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Since 1994, the region has experienced drier-than-normal conditions.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The journey is comfortable, with reserved seats, onboard restrooms, and no worries about parking or crowded overlooks.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Garnish with reserved fennel fronds.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Enid-as-Wednesday struggles to stay cool and aloof.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The episode also doubles as a character study of Morrow, who to this point has largely been an aloof, menacing figure.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Unfortunately, further discussions were heated, with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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