OFFISH Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

offish

adjective

ˈȯ-fish

Definition of offish

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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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

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

Bronwyn’s mother, Muzzy, who was lambasted all of last season for being cold and arguably cruel to her daughter, is notably softer in her first scene back — though the bob is as cunty as ever.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
At Fuerte Guaicaipuro, a military facility, investigators documented detainees being confined in pit-like cells dug below ground level and subjected to cold, food deprivation and other degrading treatment.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of cold

Adjective

The neighborhood/area Located in Westchester County, the town of Bedford boasts a few cool must-sees, like the 4,300-acre Ward Pound Ridge park and the historic home of Founding Father John Jay.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
There was nothing that had escaped being stamped with the Festival’s ubiquitous emblem–sweets, cigarettes, perfume, even sandals–Specially designed to keep you cool and smartly shod for fun-loving Festival walking!

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of cool

Adjective

Make sure skin is clean and dry so the patch sticks — skip body lotions or oils in this area.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 16 Sep. 2026
Saalt Wear leakproof underwear is super comfortable, featuring patented leak technology that's ultra-thin and dry and works for everything from periods to bladder leaks, from teenage years to postmenopause.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 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

Browse Nearby Words

offings

offish

off-key

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“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of offish

adjective

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