as in distant
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others
she proved to be simply shy, not standoffish
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of standoffish
Created by Liz Tuccillo (Alaska Daily), Best Medicine centers on Martin Best, a standoffish but talented Boston surgeon who’s abruptly taken a post as Port Wenn’s new general practitioner.
—
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 2 Jan. 2026
Toby-Chien is loyal, rambunctious and devoted, while Kiki is standoffish and narcissistic, and the conversations between them are cleverly comic.
—Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025
One neighbor, Shamik Birzhet, 23, who lives in a third-floor apartment above the Pritchetts, told the Daily News the mother always struck him as standoffish and would often leave Jacob in the lobby unattended.
—Colin Mixson, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
As luck would have it, while living like a character out of an Austen novel, Jane meets a standoffish man who initially comes off as rude and pretentious.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoffish
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 2 Jan. 2026
Toby-Chien is loyal, rambunctious and devoted, while Kiki is standoffish and narcissistic, and the conversations between them are cleverly comic.
—Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025
One neighbor, Shamik Birzhet, 23, who lives in a third-floor apartment above the Pritchetts, told the Daily News the mother always struck him as standoffish and would often leave Jacob in the lobby unattended.
—Colin Mixson, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
As luck would have it, while living like a character out of an Austen novel, Jane meets a standoffish man who initially comes off as rude and pretentious.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoffish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoffish
Adjective
-
But despite some intriguing production, Joji still feels distant and unknowable.—
Mehan Jayasuriya,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
-
This isn’t some distant future.—
Brent Saunders,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Yes, all of these songs coast primarily on vibes—Joji’s delivery remains detached and clinical throughout—but at least the vibes are compelling.—
Mehan Jayasuriya,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Then, a crowd of fans — many in flannel shirts and ski caps despite an unseasonably warm February night outside — took him in politely, if a little detached.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Snow and cold conditions have become increasingly unreliable.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Built for extreme cold Corvus One for Cold Chain uses industrial-grade barcode scanners with precise control over focus and exposure, enabling reliable label capture even when barcodes are frosted, damaged, or low contrast.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Since becoming a global celebrity in the mid-’90s, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy has become venerated for her restrained, aloof glamour.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
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In light of his trajectory from problem child to aloof entrepreneur, Newsom, who is said to be planning a run for higher office, has an opportunity to become America’s first Gen X President.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But then a cool day turned into a cold one, more spectators holding coffee cups than beer cans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Other gifts are often produced in tandem with local fashion designers or curated by the city’s coolest design shops.—
Clodagh Kinsella,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Máxima and the recovery of an icon With the arrival of Queen Máxima to the throne, the sapphire tiara regained a prominence that seemed reserved for other eras.—
Marta Martínez Tato,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
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Low-key and reserved on and off the course, the 23-year-old rarely betrays emotion.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Flynns’ pompous neighbor, Jim Doherty, a divorcé with a withdrawn, unpleasant son, encourages Catherine’s artistic rebirth.—
Hannah Gold,
New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Off-screen, Affleck has a slightly rougher star persona, while Damon’s can be a little more withdrawn and intellectual.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standoffish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoffish. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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