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
Relevance
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
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
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
-
What looks like distant diplomacy or marginal disruption is, in fact, defining competitiveness for the decade ahead.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The magnesium salt flakes loosen up tight shoulders and soothe tired feet, as lavender and clary sage oil turn the day's stresses into far-off, distant memories.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Due to his austere and detached manner, he is known to immediately inspire awe in his patients.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The consensus narrative of institutional finance has become so detached from empirical reality that diagnosing the problem requires abandoning its vocabulary for the precision of mathematics.—
Benjamin D. Summers,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Charlie Kirk didn't deserve to be killed in cold blood.—
Newsweek Contributors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
After all, who wants to wake up on a crisp winter morning to their feet on cold hardwood?—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
With adjustable sleeves and a boxy fit, the Abercrombie & Fitch Cropped Trench Coat is a cool, lightweight layer for brisk evenings, and the army green shade is especially on-trend.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Because of its open-work design, the sweater makes a versatile choice for cool, end-of-summer nights and warm fall days.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
People.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Soothing ingredients, including niacinamide, chlorella, calendula, aloe, and chamomile, ensure your skin isn’t stripped dry in the process.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Much of central Saskatchewan received less than half an inch of rainfall in April and May, leaving many wetlands dry.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Reservations include a reserved seat and access to the full menu.—
Nasha Smith,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Vigorously stir the noodles for a minute, adding some reserved cooking water, a tablespoon or two at a time, until the sauce is glossy and clings to the noodles.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Photo Credit Mario Galluci Schnitzer’s philanthropy defies the stereotype of the aloof collector.—
Stephan Rabimov,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Enid-as-Wednesday struggles to stay cool and aloof.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
3 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 19 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share