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
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
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
Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offish
Adjective
-
All are available as ground-floor garden units (timber floors; a king-size bed centered on doors opening onto a private terrace and garden) or upstairs (mirrored in layout but with plush carpets and four-poster beds; views of the surrounding gardens and distant mountains from Juliet balconies).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
This magisterial polemic demonstrates how what may appear to be distant American history remains acutely relevant.—
Anna Holmes,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
Dominguez never managed to ingratiate himself with the players and Lillo became detached.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
-
The film centers on a pickpocket who survives by exploiting the desires of closeted men, until his detached worldview is upended when one of his marks returns seeking closeness rather than settling scores.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
The best part of the combination is how the olive oil seamlessly blends with hot or cold beverages.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 May 2026
-
Hierarchy saves time and stops confusion cold.—
Chris Cardillo,
Rolling Stone,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
The classic court-style design blends sporty and timeless details in a way that feels effortlessly cool.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
-
The patio umbrella in question is perfectly oversized to cast a cool shadow over your entire lounge area.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
Southeast Michigan is looking at a beautiful stretch of weather heading into the weekend, with dry conditions, plenty of sunshine, and comfortable late-spring temperatures expected across the region.—
Vytas Reid,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
-
The most common side effects of TEPEZZA include muscle cramps or spasms, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, feeling tired, high blood sugar, hearing problems, taste changes, headache, dry skin, ear discomfort, weight loss, nail problems, and changes in menstruation.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
Sam, however, is a pretty reserved guy with a modest voice.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
23 May 2026
-
Recognized as the world's largest single-day sporting event, the Indy 500 is expected to draw approximately 350,000-plus fans, with reserved grandstand seating already selling out for the second consecutive year.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Jimmy is a compulsively magnetic figure who keeps everyone at arm’s length, including the audience, and for a film that embodies a voluptuous sense of tragedy, that leaves it undeniably aloof.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
-
Around the time of her diagnosis, Jones noticed that Samson started wanting to lie on her stomach more — a noticeable shift from the dog's once-aloof personality.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
His is a more enlightened era, but Hannes, lonely and withdrawn, doesn’t share his classmates’ interest in campus sit-ins and free love.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
Lost was the fact that a grid-connection request is just the start of a multiyear process that involves permitting and legal review and often ends in withdrawn or downsized projects.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
