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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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
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
-
As the Coast Starlight approaches the Bay Area, the train glides past marshlands, open water, and distant city skylines before continuing toward California’s Central Coast.
-
They were received by distant unknown relatives and made their way to Kensington, Illinois, a railroad community on Chicago’s South Side, historically tied to Calumet Junction and the industrial economy that helped shape the region.
Adjective
-
Or a pig’s leg lying off to the side, detached and jittering, could resemble Ted’s leg.
-
They got approved for a mortgage on a £150,000 (about $198,441) two-bedroom, semi-detached house in Seaham, England.
Adjective
-
Next to him, the waters of Lincoln’s Sinking Spring still ran cold.
-
If time doesn’t allow for spa treatments, a morning swim in the indoor pool accompanied by a sauna and cold plunge in one of their two thermal suites might suffice.
Adjective
-
The fabric feels cool against my skin and never sticks or clings, even on warmer nights.
-
Of course, when training in heat and humidity, staying hydrated is critical as well as attempts to stay as cool as possible when training during hot temperatures.
Adjective
-
In a bowl, combine all dry rub ingredients and season the ribs generously on all sides.
-
Flip your cloth to a dry side and buff for that perfect, streak-free shine.
Adjective
-
Serena’s name was on everyone’s lips, with fans chatting about the American’s chances and journalists jostling for position to get their hands on a reserved media seat.
-
The canopy area featured reserved seating that was blocked off with more seats for fans to sit and watch the game in the shade.
Adjective
-
Frances Perkins was, by temperament, cool and aloof, even a bit boring.
-
Tired of trying to come off cool and aloof on dates?
Adjective
-
The withdrawn draft focused on setting up several new watchdogs to keep AI in check, including a dedicated commission and a special insurance fund to help people if the new technology caused harm.
-
The story follows Trey, a withdrawn ex-con surviving as a night driver on the city’s margins, who forms a tentative and increasingly intimate bond with Camden (Dafne Keen), a sharp and restless young woman working as a call girl.
Cite this Entry
“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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