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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
In the not too distant past, soda options were fairly streamlined: cola, orange, or root beer; regular or diet.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Jan. 2025
-
That 12-game goal drought earlier this season seems like a distant memory.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Remove anything flammable from within a 5 feet perimeter of your home and any detached buildings, such as dry leaves and pine needles.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA TODAY,
12 Jan. 2025
-
But the detached garage and a guest cottage were destroyed, as were all but three or four of the 20 or so houses on their block near the Altadena Golf Course.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
But Posey’s first significant trade as president of baseball operations required a bit of a cold touch.—
Andrew Baggarly,
The Athletic,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Humpback whales have been known to swim 5,000 miles from tropical grounds to colder grounds for more productive feedings and usually eat small fish, straining huge amounts of water on their baleen plates, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacramento Bee,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Health inspectors found a carton of cigarettes on top of a cooler next to a walk-in freezer.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacramento Bee,
31 Jan. 2025
-
Intermountain: Idaho, Nevada, Utah, parts of Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming and New Mexico Temperatures will be warmer than normal in April (4 degrees Fahrenheit above average), but cooler than normal in May (3 degrees Fahrenheit below average).—
Mike Snider,
USA TODAY,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Remember, wet hair is fragile hair Tying your hair while wet can be a serious mistake, as wet hair is much more fragile than dry hair.—
Philipp Wehsack,
Vogue,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Rub a dry bar of soap along the teeth, and voilà—smooth sailing.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Tickets are $20 for reserved seating, $20 for general admission, $15 for students.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2025
-
Should a third violation happen, the consequences become much steeper—a €45,000 fine (€180,000 in F1) and a six-month suspension from the reserved areas.—
Yara Elshebiny,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
From there sprung Brian, played by Lou Taylor Pucci, an alien who looks like a new-age guru in a tracksuit, and, depending on the scene, can be naive, manipulative, aloof, romantic, cruel and even self-pitying.—
William Earl,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Avoid showing excessive favoritism or being unnecessarily harsh or aloof.—
Kathleen Shanley,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The expressions on these youthful figures are intent and heartfelt: obedient, frightened, absorbed, wary, withdrawn, cruel, proud, sly, or shy.—
Michael Bracewell,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2025
-
Pettersson is more withdrawn, more cerebral, more sensitive and certainly not prone to confrontation by nature.—
Chris Johnston,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near offish
Cite this Entry
“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share