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
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
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
-
The film is composed of three stories, all concerning the relationships between adult children, their somewhat distant parent or parents, and each other.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
31 July 2025
-
Constructed in the form of a triptych, the movie tells three stories exploring relationships between adult children, their somewhat distant parent (or parents), and each other.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
What about Davis, who has a lengthy injury history and underwent surgery to repair a detached retina this summer?—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
28 July 2025
-
White Lake Township Chief of Police Daniel Keller said in a news release the homeowner was alerted through his video surveillance system that seven individuals had broken into his detached garage.—
Mike Stunson
July 10,
Kansas City Star,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
In terms of coffee, try the banana bread cold brew latte, which contains banana, cookie butter and cinnamon cold brew with banana cold foam on top for $6. 5.—
Molly Gregory,
The Courier-Journal,
29 July 2025
-
Patients may exhibit temperature differences between the affected and unaffected limbs (i.e., comparing the right and left feet); the affected limb may be colder or warmer, which can be measured with a thermal camera.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
These 13 bars — the swankiest, most creative, coolest in the nation — are among the selections in our second USA TODAY Bars of the Year list.—
Susan Stapleton,
The Tennessean,
31 July 2025
-
The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts a cool and wet fall for the Midwest, with September seeing early snow and frequent rain in Michigan.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
Made from Pinot Noir grapes, very dry, elegant in both taste and presentation.—
Lana Bortolot,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
Leave compartments unzipped and let the backpack air dry.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
29 July 2025
Adjective
-
Southwest Airlines announced its new reserved seating policy will begin on Jan. 27, 2026.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
24 July 2025
-
Tickets are $125 per person and include Turf Club admission, a reserved table seat, two appetizers, two drink tickets (for premium cocktails, wine or beer), and chips and guacamole for the table.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
Some will surely relate, but Yoshii—lean, handsome, and aloof—is no one’s idea of an Everyman.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
17 July 2025
-
Vogue’s aspirational editorial is perceived as aloof to younger readers navigating economic uncertainty.—
Lilian Raji,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
Adjective
-
Set in Taiwan in 1988, the intergenerational drama revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
23 July 2025
-
Everyone reacts differently to a cancer diagnosis: some men may want to talk openly, others may become quiet or withdrawn.—
Alex Apatoff,
People.com,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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