standoffish
adjective
stand·off·ish
stand-ˈȯ-fish 
: somewhat cold and reserved
standoffishly
adverb
standoffishness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of standoffish in a Sentence
She tends to be a bit standoffish with strangers.
she proved to be simply shy, not standoffish
Recent Examples on the Web
In a talking-head interview with the two of them, Kaleena gets really standoffish when Alisha accidentally touches her foot.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2024
The soldiers know the enemy is watching, and local villagers are standoffish and unhelpful.
—Bing West, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2011
Popular on Variety Kathleen and Emily’s dynamic is echoed in the slightly standoffish greeting Kathleen gives her aging mother.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 May 2024
Canan is understandably standoffish when fielding the jibes and unsolicited career advice of the opposing side’s attorney.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for standoffish 
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2024
The soldiers know the enemy is watching, and local villagers are standoffish and unhelpful.
—Bing West, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2011
Popular on Variety Kathleen and Emily’s dynamic is echoed in the slightly standoffish greeting Kathleen gives her aging mother.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 May 2024
Canan is understandably standoffish when fielding the jibes and unsolicited career advice of the opposing side’s attorney.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for standoffish
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'standoffish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near standoffish
Cite this Entry
“Standoffish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standoffish. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
standoffish
adjective
stand·off·ish
stan-ˈdȯ-fish
: not friendly : aloof
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