offish

adjective

ˈȯ-fish How to pronounce offish (audio)
Definition of offishnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 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
  1. distant
  2. detached
  3. cold
  4. cool
  5. dry
  6. reserved
  7. aloof
  8. withdrawn
Adjective
  • Growing up in nearby Long Island, where my parents moved partially due to fear of what would happen next, the attacks felt like a distant but ever-present part of my life.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026
  • This week is a great time to find it because Neptune soon reaches opposition within Pisces, making the distant planet brighter than at any other time this year.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of distant
Adjective
  • The regulations list possibilities including guest houses, caretaker residences, cabanas, gyms, libraries, pool houses, boat houses and detached garages.
    — Luisa Yanez Updated September 3, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The former Feyenoord boss stood accused of being too detached from the local fanbase.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of detached
Adjective
  • New England had a 3rd-and-1 close to midfield, but its rush attempt was stopped cold and the Patriots punted.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026
  • These days still call for cold drinks and as little clothing as is practicable.
    — Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • The Lightblaze Sneakers are functional and cool, combining responsive support with trending details, including suede, animal print, and metallic accents.
    — Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Rather markets sending yields lower to account for a slower economy and cooler inflation, yields have marched higher.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of cool
Adjective
  • His teammates see his personality, his ability to laugh at himself, his sarcasm, his dry wit.
    — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Among them, Amazon Beauty is offering one-on-one makeup artist consultations; Wella Professionals is offering dry hair styling and touch-ups; and Anastasia Soare will give a brow artistry masterclass.
    — Jennet Jusu, Allure, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of dry
Adjective
  • Spread the jam evenly over the warm shortbread crust, then sprinkle crumbles of the reserved shortbread mixture over the top, completely covering the jam.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Not only are there no corporate suites in Armstrong, but the upper sections are full of non-reserved seating open to folks who purchased general admission grounds passes, which Tiafoe mentioned.
    — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of reserved
Adjective
  • In those cases, a house becomes heirs’ property, a somewhat aloof legal term that can have devastating real-world impacts as a common driver of involuntary home loss, legal experts say.
    — Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Deadline first reported that John Lithgow was nearing final talks for the role of Albus Dumbledore, the aloof yet powerful headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of aloof
Adjective
  • In an era of ball-to-feet No 10s and withdrawn strikers, Welbeck stays high up the pitch, runs the channels and occupies defenders.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • The withdrawn earnings are taxed as ordinary income, the Treasury said.
    — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 11 July 2026
Definition of withdrawn

Browse Nearby Words

offings
offish
off-key
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Cite this Entry

“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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