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 standoffish After several minutes of standoffish conversation, Cummings accused Arriola of trying to scam him. Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2022 And Steve says, all of this just goes a long way toward the hospital, redefining its once really standoffish relationship with the surrounding neighborhoods. Laura Johnston, cleveland, 7 Nov. 2022 Harper is initially cold and standoffish, refusing even to pick up a champagne flute to collectively toast to their impending holiday together. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Oct. 2022 That’s because these standoffish compounds don’t react to anything—not biological or other chemical agents. Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2022 See All Example Sentences for standoffish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoffish
Adjective
  • Placing in a distant second was Trump Jr., with 12%.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
  • To be clear: The consumer version of a psychiatric BCI like Inner Cosmos’ Digital Pill may be just as distant or hypothetical as any other BCI.
    Naveen Rao, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to the main floor porch, the property has a large detached deck close to shore for waterside entertaining. Take a look around...
    Audrey Kennedy, Axios, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The property comes with a detached garage with a stylish glass garage door and a car charger.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Lopez has been seen out in New York a lot lately, and while the weather has been cold for spring, there’s still a lot going on for her, especially in the theatre world.
    Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 9 Apr. 2025
  • This oral rinse provides relief from tooth pain and discomfort triggered by cold, heat, acids, sweets or contact.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Danielle then argues that Carolyn’s aloof demeanor is all an act, à la Columbo, meant to trick people into underestimating her.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Adichie’s protagonists are independent and deeply ambivalent, not so much aloof as detached, both from their love interests and from their own desires and aspirations.
    Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • If the planet becomes cool enough and hydrogen and water separate early in its evolution, Gupta says a supercritical layer of water could form beneath the hydrogen atmosphere — thereby shedding new light on how planets with liquid water oceans could exist.
    Victoria Corless, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • April 7, 2025 No word on whether Sanders made that call to Kathy Sudeikis, but that would be a pretty cool connection.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • At the start of episode 8, Cara, a reserved 29-year-old In-N-Out worker, had the cash in her box, while her bestie Samantha, a 41-year-old cop pretending to be a stay-at-home mom, had a clue that the secret millionaire was someone with two sisters.
    Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Without trust, teams experience: • Communication Breakdowns: Team members become reserved and hesitant to provide feedback or voice concerns.
    Dr. Jennifer Bryant, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The withdrawn San Francisco drama, about lonely nonbinary nanny and restaurant server Cass (Asia Kate Dillon), is simple in its presentation, but disguises numerous layers to its story.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Jade and John told Dateline both had noticed their daughter was acting a bit withdrawn in the period leading up to her disappearance.
    Veronica Fulton, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Standoffish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoffish. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on standoffish

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!