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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 withdrawn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
  • Given with the cancer drug Keytruda after surgery, the treatment significantly improved the time patients remained free of recurrence and distant spread compared with Keytruda alone.
    — Sally C. Pipes, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Once a distant ambition for technology researchers, the prospect of artificial intelligence models teaching themselves autonomously to be more efficient and capable appears ever closer to reality.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of distant
Adjective
  • Their detached boathouse is located down the hill, which is pretty common for most Muskoka homes.
    — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of detached
Adjective
  • Yes; there are spa treatments as well as a sauna, cold plunge, and hot tub circuit rooted in a traditional Ahousaht bathing ritual.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026
  • So much of the last season with Charlie [Hunnam] was Charlie [as Ed Gein] in a barn or in a cold house talking to himself.
    — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • Their knee-length, wide-leg fit will keep you cool in transitional weather.
    — Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026
  • For the most part, garlic grows best if it’s planted about a week or two after the first killing frost in the fall, followed by exposure to several months of cool weather before the spring season starts.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of cool
Adjective
  • Pat the ribs dry with paper towels and place them on a large rimmed sheet tray.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Clinicians interviewed across The Healthy, Allure, Huffpost and Bustle broadly agree the blankets produce heat and sweat similar to a dry sauna.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of dry
Adjective
  • In Paper Tiger, there’s something more reserved and gentle about him.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Add scallions and garlic to reserved drippings in skillet; cook over medium-low, stirring constantly, until softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of reserved
Adjective
  • Several people, including Simonton, described Allen as aloof from his workers.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Legalism emphasized that leaders should remain aloof from the governed.
    — Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 16 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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