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
So long as that situation continues, the 43-year-old’s allegedly arrogant and stand-offish treatment of his players will not worry the club hierarchy too much.
—
Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
They weren’t being stand-offish, not at all.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
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
Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
They weren’t being stand-offish, not at all.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offish
Adjective
-
The hotel is on a block next to a major road, but the noise is more of a distant city hum than a nuisance.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
The forces shaping our lives can often feel distant, abstract, and impossible to grasp — but through adventure, investigation, and deeply human storytelling, The Human Element inspires a sense of hope and connection.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
This is one reason why a partner of someone with avoidant attachment may perceive their partner as emotionally unavailable, overly self-sufficient, detached or distant or resistant to commitment.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
The price gap Condos generally cost less than detached homes, which is why first-time buyers often start there.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
There’s the youngest, most freewheeling son’s habit of swilling cold coffee while watching The Gong Show.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Historically, extremely cold temperatures, near absolute zero, were used to put them in a quiet state, which required bulky and expensive systems.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
On a cool, drizzly day in Oakland, California, the film director Boots Riley often seemed less like a person than like a landmark—clockable from a distance.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
When the air conditioner is on, the driver’s side vent is cold, the rear is cool, but the front passenger side vent is blowing hot air.—
John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast,
Hartford Courant,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
The end product is usually tough, dry, and stringy.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 May 2026
-
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the crust is set and dry but not browned, then let cool for 5 minutes.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Sprinkle with the reserved hazelnuts and the parsley, and drizzle with the pul biber oil.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
16 May 2026
-
The audiences there were more reserved and showed their appreciation at the end.—
Zama Magudulela,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
For the priests, this was a case of demonic possession due to witch-craft, and Mary’s crabby, aloof neighbor Elizabeth Jackson was the prime witch suspect.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The pop star needs a dress for a comeback show the following weekend, just days away, which Sam and her aloof assistant Hilda (Hunter Schafer, wasted) say can’t be done.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
His is a more enlightened era, but Hannes, lonely and withdrawn, doesn’t share his classmates’ interest in campus sit-ins and free love.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
Lost was the fact that a grid-connection request is just the start of a multiyear process that involves permitting and legal review and often ends in withdrawn or downsized projects.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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