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 withdrawn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
  • An exuberant pre-dawn sky — filled with large, bright stars, a luminous crescent moon, and blue and white swirls — dominates the landscape featuring a prominent cypress tree and distant hillside village.
    — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The changes include allowing the adoption of distant male relatives raised as commoners to become royals and father future heirs, and letting princesses keep their royal status after marrying commoners.
    — Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of distant
Adjective
  • The exterior entry and upper-level access of the detached, two-story guesthouse.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Goldfish centers on a 17-year-old high school senior who presents as detached, ironic and emotionally armored, but underneath is quietly paralyzed by fear of failure, abandonment and becoming his parents.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of detached
Adjective
  • The instigating weather system bringing the risk to the Southwest is an upper-level low — or a high altitude pocket of cold air, low pressure and spin.
    — Jamie Ross, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The case went cold until 2014, when Stockwell was located and interviewed by cold case detectives.
    — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • Inside, furnishings are minimal, with timber and cool-toned stone alongside floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the landscaped gardens.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Grab a pretty blouse and snappy loafers to wear for brunch dates on warmer autumn days, then pair them with a denim jacket and slouchy knee-high boots as the weather gets cooler.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of cool
Adjective
  • The fences that separate the dry fields and the doors that allow you through them.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Eventually, with the flight nearing its end, Page finds that nice, flat, dry, grassy field — with no power lines.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of dry
Adjective
  • Doncic’s dueling personalities — the charismatic showman on the court and the reserved personality off it — overlap in his generosity.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Premier and reserved parking passes are both $65 on Ticketmaster.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of reserved
Adjective
  • Where Thomas is aloof and proud, Erika is prickly and sardonic, excellent tools for protecting a surprisingly fragile heart.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • And blondes will find a path that diverges—wintery vanilla for an aloof, icy look or buttery almond for a cozy blonde that still turns heads.
    — Loren Savini, Allure, 14 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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