offish

adjective

ˈȯ-fish How to pronounce offish (audio)
Definition of offishnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 offish So long as that situation continues, the 43-year-old’s allegedly arrogant and stand-offish treatment of his players will not worry the club hierarchy too much. — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025 They weren’t being stand-offish, not at all. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025 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
  1. distant
  2. detached
  3. cold
  4. cool
  5. dry
  6. reserved
  7. aloof
  8. withdrawn
Adjective
  • Before January, nearly three-quarters of Venezuela’s crude exports headed to China, with the United States a distant second.
    — Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Until last week, those threats still felt like a distant risk.
    — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of distant
Adjective
  • Kate Middleton spent most of her early life in a 4-bedroom, semi-detached cottage in Bradfield, Berkshire.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 30 July 2026
  • New homes are less likely to compete on price with existing homes in dense urban markets like New York City, where scarce land means new construction is dominated by condominium projects rather than detached homes.
    — Mike Winters, CNBC, 23 July 2026
Definition of detached
Adjective
  • It was instead caused by cold air plummeting to the ground from the upper levels of a passing thunderstorm, experts says.
    — Mark Price July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
  • For lunch, head outside to The Pocket pool bar and lounge for fish tacos and a cold beer.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • Once a theater, this is now a center of cool with a restaurant, bar, and menswear shop.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Let the cake cool slightly, for about 15 minutes, before drizzling the pudding over the top.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of cool
Adjective
  • Providing supplemental irrigation during dry periods to reduce drought stress.
    — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • In just a few weeks, guests at this West 39th Street sandwich shop and wine bar can transport themselves to a Tuscan restaurant with homemade schiacciata bread, Italian meats and cheeses, and a dry white.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Definition of dry
Adjective
  • Whisk together milk and reserved pineapple juices in a medium bowl until combined.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
  • While the lawn remained mostly empty, the reserved seating area was largely full.
    — Jamie Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
Definition of reserved
Adjective
  • Kiesler and his heirs envisioned architecture that would make the arts more available, provisional, improvisational, democratic, and participatory, more playful and less aloof.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026
  • If their goal is to grant access to her particular perspective, then that perspective seems only that of a bored and aloof tween.
    — Elena Lazic, Variety, 25 July 2026
Definition of aloof
Adjective
  • In an era of ball-to-feet No 10s and withdrawn strikers, Welbeck stays high up the pitch, runs the channels and occupies defenders.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • The withdrawn earnings are taxed as ordinary income, the Treasury said.
    — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 11 July 2026
Definition of withdrawn

Browse Nearby Words

offings
offish
off-key
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Cite this Entry

“Offish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offish. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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