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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Recent Examples of standoffish
Her brood includes peacocks, chickens, goats, horses, donkeys, and a new rescue rabbit named Bugsy who’s a bit standoffish.
—
Emily Elias, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2026
Moscow’s standoffish stance last year was a wake-up call to Tehran’s leadership about the limits of its alliance with Putin — limits that were being seen today too, analysts said.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for standoffish
Emily Elias, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2026
Moscow’s standoffish stance last year was a wake-up call to Tehran’s leadership about the limits of its alliance with Putin — limits that were being seen today too, analysts said.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for standoffish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoffish
Adjective
-
The war is a distant drumbeat, its threat ever audible to Steele’s underemployed, eminently draftable characters from 9,000 miles away.—
Meredith Maran,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The 2025 rediscoveries serve as a reminder that even species unseen for decades may still persist in remote corners of the world — and that the work of birdwatchers and researchers scanning distant forests and islands continues to make a difference.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The title may be clinical and detached; the image on its cover is anything but.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The fire also damaged two neighboring houses and a detached garage.—
Robert A. Cronkleton
March 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Tuesday’s game was moved from the evening to the afternoon in anticipation of cold temperatures.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Chu attributed the slower activity in early 2026 to high interest rates and an unusually cold winter, which kept many prospective buyers away from open houses in January and February.—
Chase Jordan
April 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Tuscan capital’s poshest hotel stands aloof from the selfie crush around Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo, in the quiet northern reaches of central Florence.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
-
That’s on top of her other worries, not the least of which is her seemingly disturbed, aloof young son.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Made with a lightweight cotton fabric, this bucket hat will keep your face cool on balmy days.—
Claire West,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
-
People will see a ton of cool, diverse ideas from us.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Stir together 1/4 cup of the reserved cola mixture and remaining 1/4 cup bourbon in a small bowl, then brush evenly over warm cake.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Through Sapphire Reserve Experiences, cardholders receive special shopping perks and access to a reserved experience located on the second green, featuring premium seating, complimentary refreshments, private restrooms and more.—
Ryley Amond,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Parents report that many children stop eating, lose weight and become withdrawn.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Along the way, Babilonia matured from the shy withdrawn child who refused to hold a boy’s hand into a bold, strong and confident woman.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standoffish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoffish. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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