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 withdrawn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
  • As the light dips behind the hills and Chianti’s color palette softens, life beyond the estate starts to feel quite distant.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Turnshek’s research as an astronomer has primarily focused on galaxy formation and quasars, the luminous cores of distant, ancient galaxies.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of distant
Adjective
  • Homeowners report far more trust than renters, and people in detached houses report more than people in apartments.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026
  • She’s gone for unexpected pairings and silhouettes, including a blazer with satin short shorts, voluminous detached sleeves, and a chainmail-like armor made breezy through fringe.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of detached
Adjective
  • Boxwood is generally easy to grow and cold-tolerant, meaning its leaves stay on the plant year-round.
    — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Receive free cold beverages at budget-friendly hotels, or pay more for places with welcome champagne and a rooftop pool with Gaudí views.
    — Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • The bestselling Long Sleeve Mock Neck Top is an ultra-soft, feather-light, breathable, and cool to the touch flattering quarter zip style.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • One is cool, calm, collected, and joyful, while the other spews profanities and insults.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of cool
Adjective
  • How to Store Muffins and Quick Bread When storing yeast bread, the storage environment needs to be dry so the bread maintains the crusty exterior.
    — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The shelves are stocked with crayons, markers, construction paper, notebooks, folders, binders, dry-erase markers and other classroom materials.
    — Tori Mason, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of dry
Adjective
  • Whisk together milk and reserved pineapple juices in a medium bowl until combined.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
  • While the lawn remained mostly empty, the reserved seating area was largely full.
    — Jamie Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
Definition of reserved
Adjective
  • Denise seems aloof one moment, but then totally sharp the next.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Kiesler and his heirs envisioned architecture that would make the arts more available, provisional, improvisational, democratic, and participatory, more playful and less aloof.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 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 12 Aug. 2026.

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