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
Her earthy, extroverted manner contrasts with the more reserved, standoffish Starmer, a former human rights lawyer.
—
Max Foster, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
DeVito, on the other hand, was a series regular on all five seasons, portraying Louie De Palma, the standoffish head dispatcher of the Sunshine Cab Company.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Ozzy was standoffish, didn't like to play, and refused to let Sunny lay near him.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
The opening match between Finland and Iceland was incredibly standoffish, with neither side looking to close down in the opposition’s half at all.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoffish
Max Foster, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
DeVito, on the other hand, was a series regular on all five seasons, portraying Louie De Palma, the standoffish head dispatcher of the Sunshine Cab Company.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Ozzy was standoffish, didn't like to play, and refused to let Sunny lay near him.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
The opening match between Finland and Iceland was incredibly standoffish, with neither side looking to close down in the opposition’s half at all.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoffish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoffish
Adjective
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In another imaging campaign, API, assisted by AMIGO, was able to produce detailed images of a black hole jet, the volcanic surface of Jupiter's moon Io, and stellar winds emanating from a distant variable star.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
5 Nov. 2025
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Although the technology to use helium-3 remains distant, its potential value continues to drive long-term interest in lunar and asteroid resource development.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Martell said the tone wasn’t hostile, just detached.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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The detached house was built in 2013 and has a living area of 3,186 square feet.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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After playing a career-best game to tip off the season, pouring in 31 points against Indiana State, Bradford has gone cold from beyond the arc in the past two games, not attempting a three against Tennessee Tech and missing all five of his attempts on Tuesday night.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Nov. 2025
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To balance their regular caseload, Landrum said Moore police detectives passed the baton to the US Marshals, who specialized in tracking criminals across state lines and solving cold cases.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This all happens while Peter has been at home playing the role of concerned but aloof husband.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
8 Nov. 2025
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And the British nations, as ever, remained aloof, England rejecting a late offer to step in for Austria.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Having no cool aunt of my own and no elder sisters, just teenage babysitters and camp counselors (each with their own unique but tenuous grasp on anatomy and reproductive science), the book felt warm, inviting, and—perhaps most important to my terrified, bleeding, self—safe.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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The porous polymer coating that reflects up to 97 percent of sunlight and radiates heat into the air, keeping surfaces up to six degrees cooler than the surrounding air even under direct sun.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Whisk in eggs, corn syrup, reserved bourbon, and butter until well combined.—
Kathryn Gregory,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
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While sales in the US, the world’s biggest market, fell by a more reserved 9%, the drop comes after several recent yearly contractions.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
“Standoffish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoffish. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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