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
-
For mid-century home buyers, the costs of our suburban revolution were distant.—
Marina Bolotnikova,
Vox,
7 July 2025
-
Since his 1938 debut in Action Comics No. 1, one home for Superman has been America, even though he was born on a distant planet.—
Samantha Baskind,
Smithsonian Magazine,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
The house features five bedrooms and one bathrooms. 5. $2.1 million, single-family residence in the 6100 block of Contra Costa Road The sale of the detached house in the 6100 block of Contra Costa Road in Oakland has been finalized.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Everyone’s temperature preferences differ—some sleep hot, others cold.—
Alyssa Hui-Anderson,
Verywell Health,
15 July 2025
-
For evening or colder climates, go with the Parallel Pant.—
Rebecca Deurlein,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
Nothing gets people to appreciate you faster than staying cool in a storm.—
Marek Niedzwiedz,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Here are some more tips from USA TODAY for staying cool on a budget this summer: Close curtains and blinds.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
Her candidness, dry humor and emotional honesty resonated with thousands — some fellow transplant recipients, others simply inspired by her resilience.—
Jordan Greene,
People.com,
14 July 2025
-
On the West Coast, vegetation grows back quickly, presenting a perennial wildfire risk in dry zones.—
Louis Gritzo,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
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,
14 July 2025
-
By the end, Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece had spent five minutes of the county's weekly public meeting demanding answers as to why a construction worker had prevented her from parking in her reserved spot, marked with a cone.—
Scott Wartman,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
But Pitt has also always been a little aloof, capable of enormous charm but always keeping aspects of himself in reserve — which is why his unrufflable cool guys have always been better with a foil.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
26 June 2025
-
Hayk, a withdrawn and aloof child, lives on a farm with his aunt Narine and gets mocked and called strange by others.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
Often, people that indulge in this type of culture are considered anti-social or withdrawn, a stereotype that has been passed around for years.—
Dominick Williams,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2025
-
People become irritable, withdrawn, or hyper-independent.—
Barnaby Lashbrooke,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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