as in detached
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others
a buttoned-up colleague who had no interest in talking about anything but work, even at parties
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of buttoned-up
Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 17 May 2025
Both teams were so buttoned-up defensively that the best players had to fight for every inch.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Is their family more buttoned-up?
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2025
Brown may never be called buttoned-up.
—Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
Most people on LinkedIn try to be professional, buttoned-up, and safe.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
After centuries of weathering and exposure, the colors seen in historical homes today can appear muted and buttoned-up, even drab.
—Cornelia Powers, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024
It can be worn buttoned-up or open over a mock turtleneck with jeans.
—Emily Weaver, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024
Use it as a layering piece or wear it buttoned-up on its own.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Jost is clean-cut and buttoned-up; Sherman is young and hip.
—Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 17 May 2025
Both teams were so buttoned-up defensively that the best players had to fight for every inch.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Is their family more buttoned-up?
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2025
Brown may never be called buttoned-up.
—Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
Most people on LinkedIn try to be professional, buttoned-up, and safe.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
After centuries of weathering and exposure, the colors seen in historical homes today can appear muted and buttoned-up, even drab.
—Cornelia Powers, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024
It can be worn buttoned-up or open over a mock turtleneck with jeans.
—Emily Weaver, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024
Use it as a layering piece or wear it buttoned-up on its own.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttoned-up
Adjective
-
Investigators at the scene found the housing to a side view mirror, a front driver’s side bumper component and a detached front driver’s side wheel trim.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
19 May 2025
-
Cooking was done in a detached cookhouse, which also is open for viewing.—
Amy Bentley,
Oc Register,
7 May 2025
Adjective
-
The trick was to keep them distant and yet connected, and find ways to not make the audience wait to see their chemistry, because the John Corbett and Sarah Jessica Parker chemistry is undeniable and a gift.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
29 May 2025
-
Within 23 hours, the signals will be as far from Earth as NASA’s Voyager 1, the world’s most distant spacecraft at more than 15 billion miles in interstellar space.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
Following a horrific incident that destroys what’s left of his emotional stability, he is assigned to a high-profile cold case that forces him to confront his inadequacies.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
29 May 2025
-
The trailer opens with Elizabeth discussing a cold case for the group to look into from May 11, 1973, involving a woman thrown out of a window and onto the street below.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
Other options that will keep you cool yet still looking polished this summer are a pair of pleated shorts from Quince or a linen-blend pair of Bermuda shorts from Mango. Wide-leg Jeans Jeans might seem like a surprising addition to a summer packing list, but a loose, wide-leg pair makes sense.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2025
-
Cooling bedding is a summertime essential, and Amazon has a slew of all-weather quilts that’ll help keep you cool comfy throughout even the warmest nights.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
Sprinkle tops evenly with reserved sugar-flour mixture (about 1 1/2 teaspoons each).—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
28 May 2025
-
My ticket was for travel with up to six others in a reserved couchette cabin.—
Carlton Reid,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buttoned-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttoned-up. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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