as in distant
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others
she proved to be simply shy, not standoffish
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Example Sentences
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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
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
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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
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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
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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
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Cooking was done in a detached cookhouse, which also is open for viewing.—
Amy Bentley,
Oc Register,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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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
-
Aldi may carry kosher items, but the stores don’t have cold and hot deli counters or butchers who customize cuts.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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Wins Best Film at Critics Awards for Arab Films Far from the bristling emotional potency of Petzold’s previous muse Nina Hoss, Beer can be an aloof, hard-to-read presence.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
17 May 2025
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One of the central conflicts begins when the cute five-year-old daughter, I-Jing (Nina Ye), is reprimanded by her otherwise aloof grandfather for being left-handed.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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Sprinkle tops evenly with reserved sugar-flour mixture (about 1 1/2 teaspoons each).—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
28 May 2025
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My ticket was for travel with up to six others in a reserved couchette cabin.—
Carlton Reid,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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My main criticism is its withdrawn camera, which is set too far away from the action in most stages.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
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Parents watch as their once-curious children become withdrawn, dreading school instead of embracing it.—
Claudia Nachtigal,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Standoffish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoffish. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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