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.
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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
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The utility on Wednesday was sending 20 tankers with water to support firefighters in the Palisades, and the tankers were having to reload at other distant locations.Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
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Tankers were reloading water tankers were having to reload at other distant locations.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The main house measures in at about 8,000 square feet and has five bedrooms, while the detached guest house has another two bedrooms in just over 1,000 square feet of space.Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2025
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Most of the devices were found in a detached garage, where the FBI also found tools and manufacturing materials, including homemade fuses and pieces of PVC pipe.Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Indeed, ideal blanket storage options are needed in warmer and colder weather.Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025
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What To Know The wind chill temperature is how cold people and animals feel when outside in the elements.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The elevation provides cooler temperatures and optimal sun exposure, contributing to the wine's notable acidity and freshness.Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
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Taylor-Joy’s peachy shadow melded with her cool, fair skin and light pink lipstick.Claire Sullivan, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Staying dry in Dry January can be hard for some participants so an ice cream company is trying to step in with some frozen encouragement.Jeanette Hurt, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
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MacKay’s droll speaking style failed to impress some voters but was a huge hit with his colleagues and the media because of his dry, self-deprecating sense of humor.Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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However, navigating Norwegian society can be challenging for newcomers due to its reserved and structured culture.David Nikel, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
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And where the confident, outgoing Navarro was comfortable being the center of attention, Avery was a reserved bookish subversive, and quietly self-critical.Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Those details amount to an author nudging depiction of a misunderstood wunderkind versus an aloof outsider.Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 6 Jan. 2025
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Cats often get a bad rap for being independent and aloof.Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Pettersson is more withdrawn, more cerebral, more sensitive and certainly not prone to confrontation by nature.Chris Johnston, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
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Introverts may become talkative, or extroverts quiet and withdrawn.Dr. Talia Varley, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near offish
Cite this Entry
“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.
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