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
Kirk is appealingly standoffish, if such a thing might be imagined.
—
Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for standoffish
Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for standoffish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoffish
Adjective
-
Each time, brown leaves that had drifted from distant trees quivered and spun on the surface.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
The intricate arches perfectly frame patches of sky or distant mountains.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Three children who were playing hide-and-seek spotted a cat floating on the surface of the water in the garden of an unoccupied semi-detached home.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
-
Over time, the bond between the sliding frame and the glass can deteriorate, causing the moonroof glass to become detached while the car is operating.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter who covers the death penalty, cold cases and breaking news for USA TODAY.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
Fleur and Caroline put innumerable noses out of joint on their paths to creative and intellectual fulfillment; lovers become dejected, friendships are left to go cold, and each woman’s devotion to her work is viewed with resentment and suspicion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
Cats are infamous for being aloof creatures.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
-
The design is still in progress, and while NJ Transit has joined Amtrak in shaping the latest proposal, the MTA remains sulkily aloof.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
Make sure the oven is completely cool before cleaning.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
13 June 2026
-
Nothing plays up dark mocha or cool raven hair like warm cinnamon balayage.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
In her early public appearances, she was often seen with her head bowed and her gaze upward, a posture that, alongside her soft-spoken demeanor, led the British press to characterize her as timid and reserved.—
Elle Meier,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
-
Also not helping matters is Center Rep’s rather reserved staging of the show.—
Charles Lewis III,
Mercury News,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Patrick Stewart is also among those to have publicly discussed working with a withdrawn Hardy, who has also starred in The Dark Knight trilogy, Peaky Blinders and the Venom films.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2026
-
Read more on the deadly ripple effects of withdrawn aid.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standoffish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoffish. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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