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
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
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
-
There, the music switches to distant, classical pomp and the actor takes a seat at a tidy press junket-style set.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Electric aviation is far from a distant dream in 2025.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Ultimately, Weitzman says, while some people view the humor through an ironic or detached lens, the movie is made with an honesty that isn’t always depicted in comedy.—
William Earl,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Due to his austere and detached manner, he is known to immediately inspire awe in his patients.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This is when the weather in most places is nicest—not too cold, but not yet hot and humid.—
Kristin Braswell,
AFAR Media,
7 Oct. 2025
-
But actually, simply cold emailing employers isn’t a bad way to stand out.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This Bear mattress has natural copper infused in the memory foam, which is made to draw out heat to keep sleepers cool all night long.—
Kristi Kellogg,
Architectural Digest,
5 Oct. 2025
-
This option is made of a lightweight polyester and spandex blend, which is breathable on hot afternoons, while the extra length provides warmth for cool mornings and evenings.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This innovative dry shampoo isn’t designed to just absorb oil and create that all-too-familiar gritty feeling on your strands.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The Columbia Men's Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Omni-heat Boots are currently 25 percent off and will keep feet dry and warm during hikes year-round.—
Anne Taylor,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Remove from heat and stir in reserved ham and lemon juice.—
Elizabeth Mervosh,
Southern Living,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Klopp is less reserved on player welfare.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Watson was accused of being aloof and out of touch and the team’s management was publicly roasted by a furious Phil Mickelson in the Sunday night press conference.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
-
In fact, despite playing one of her most aloof characters yet, the real Roberts starts to tear up when Sevigny talks about admiring her.—
Ramin Setoodeh,
Variety,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Unfortunately, further discussions were heated, with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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