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
-
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
-
The Iranian regime’s nuclear ambitions are not some distant diplomatic dispute.—
Laurence Milstein,
Sun Sentinel,
24 June 2025
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
-
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
-
Other ways to stay safe during the heat wave include drinking lots of water, wearing light clothing, keeping ovens and stoves shut off and cooling off with a cold bath or ice packs, officials said.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
Experts say there are ways to save while still staying cool this summer.—
Talia Wexler,
CNBC,
24 June 2025
-
Stay cool with clothing: Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
That curl makes the nib of a fountain pen dry and scratchy.—
Benjamin Hale
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
-
The most surprising result was how tightly curled my hair was post-blow dry.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
23 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
Adjective
-
Amid uncertainty over the region's direction, Arab states are eager to assert leadership and welcome checks on Iranian influence while still standing aloof from Israel and critical of its actions.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
-
Again, audiences remained aloof. Undaunted, Jeffreys continued issuing new work through 2017 with 14 Steps to Harlem.—
Jim Farber,
Rolling Stone,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Often, people that indulge in this type of culture are considered anti-social or withdrawn, a stereotype that has been passed around for years.—
Dominick Williams,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2025
-
People become irritable, withdrawn, or hyper-independent.—
Barnaby Lashbrooke,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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