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Definitions

buttoned-up

[buht-nd-uhp] / ˈbʌt ndˈʌp /
ADJECTIVE
closemouthed
Synonyms
WEAK
clammed up close close-lipped dummied up have tight chops hush-hush quiet reticent sedate taciturn tight-lipped uncommunicative zipped one's lips
Antonyms
WEAK
chatty open talkative
ADJECTIVE
done
Synonyms
STRONG
complete completed concluded consummated depleted drained effected ended executed exhausted fixed fulfilled perfected performed realized rendered set spent succeeded terminated wired wrought
WEAK
a wrap all in all over brought about brought to pass compassed over through used-up
Antonyms
STRONG
incomplete indefinite unfinished unfixed unfulfilled unused
WEAK
undone
ADJECTIVE
hushed
Synonyms
STRONGEST
muted
STRONG
checked close curbed faint hush iced inhibited mute
WEAK
bashful clammed up closed-up closemouthed dumb dummied up inarticulate incoherent inconversable indistinct laconic mousy mum noiseless nonvocal not talkativ
Antonyms
STRONG
bold
ADJECTIVE
inobtrusive
Synonyms
WEAK
clammed up close close-mouthed could hear a pin drop dumb hushed hushful inaudible low low-pitched muffled mute muted noiseless not saying boo peaceful quiescent quieted reserved restrained reticent secretive silent soft soundless speechless still stilled subdued taciturn tasteful tight-lipped uncommunicative unexpressed unobtrusive unspeaking unuttered whist
ADJECTIVE
mum
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bashful
STRONG
mute quiet shy still
WEAK
clammed up closemouthed hushed muted nonvocal not forthcoming not talkative reserved secretive soundless speechless tight-lipped tongue-tied uncommunicative unsociable unspeaking voiceless wordless zipped
Antonyms
STRONG
agitated
ADJECTIVE
noncommittal
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ambiguous careful cautious circumspect discreet equivocal evasive judicious neutral tactful vague wary
WEAK
clammed up constrained even-steven guarded hush-hush incommunicable indefinite middle-of-the-road on-the-fence politic reserved restrained temporizing tentative unrevealing zipped
Antonyms
STRONGEST
careless certain clear decisive definite foolish hasty heedless incautious indiscreet positive rash reckless sure
WEAK
willing
ADJECTIVE
quiet
Synonyms
STRONGEST
muted peaceful reticent silent soft
STRONG
close hushed low muffled mute quieted reserved still stilled whist
WEAK
clammed up close-mouthed could hear a pin drop dumb hushful inaudible low-pitched noiseless not saying boo quiescent secretive soundless speechless taciturn tight-lipped uncommunicative unexpressed unspeaking unuttered
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clamorous communicative noisy
STRONG
unreserved
WEAK
agitated boisterous complex complicated intricate loud obtrusive troubled
ADJECTIVE
safe
Synonyms
STRONGEST
intact protected secure
STRONG
okay snug
WEAK
cherished free from danger guarded home free impervious impregnable in safety inviolable invulnerable maintained out of danger out of harm's way preserved safe and sound safeguarded sheltered shielded sitting pretty tended unassailable undamaged under lock and key under one's wing unharmed unhurt uninjured unmolested unscathed unthreatened vindicated watched
Antonyms
STRONGEST
insecure unprotected
WEAK
dangerous exposed harmful incautious poisonous risky unguarded unsafe unthoughtful vulnerable
ADJECTIVE
secretive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
covert enigmatic reticent taciturn
WEAK
backstairs cagey clammed up close close-mouthed cryptic feline furtive hushed in chambers in privacy in private in the background in the dark on the Q.T. reserved silent tight-lipped undercover unforthcoming withdrawn zipped
Antonyms
STRONGEST
communicative
WEAK
forthright honest open
ADJECTIVE
silent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hushed mum mute restrained reticent
WEAK
bashful checked clammed up close closed-up closemouthed curbed dumb dummied up faint hush iced inarticulate incoherent inconversable indistinct inhibited laconic mousy muted noiseless nonvocal not talkative reserved shy silentious soundless still struck dumb taciturn tongue-tied unclear uncommunicative unheard unsociable unspeaking voiceless wordless zipped
Antonyms
WEAK
clamorous communicative explicit noisy talkative tangible
ADJECTIVE
speechless
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amazed dazed dumb silent
WEAK
aghast aphonic astounded clammed up close-mouthed cool cool as cucumber dumbfounded dumbstruck inarticulate mum mute not saying boo reserved shocked taciturn thunderstruck tight-lipped tongue-tied uncommunicative unflappable voiceless wordless
Antonyms
WEAK
articulate communicative responsive
ADJECTIVE
still
Synonyms
STRONG
closed fixed halcyon hushed pacific sealed smooth stable static stock-still whist
WEAK
at rest clammed up close-mouthed dead deathlike deathly deathly quiet deathly still hushful inert lifeless noiseless peaceful placid restful serene silent soundless stagnant stationary tranquil undisturbed unruffled unstirring untroubled
Antonyms
STRONG
broken changeable unfixed variable
WEAK
agitated moving stirred unquiet
ADJECTIVE
through
Synonyms
STRONGEST
over
WEAK
complete completed concluded ended finis finished in the bag terminated wound-up wrapped-up
Antonyms
WEAK
incomplete indirect stopping unfinished
ADJECTIVE
tight-lipped
Synonyms
WEAK
clammed up closemouthed dumb hushed mum mute muted not talkative quiet reserved restrained reticent secretive taciturn tongue-tied zipped
ADJECTIVE
uncommunicative
Synonyms
WEAK
aloof clammed up close close-mouthed curt distant dried-up evasive guarded hush-hush offish on the Q.T. quiet reserved reticent retiring secretive short standoffish taciturn tight-lipped unapproachable unresponsive unsociable
Antonyms
WEAK
communicative confident extroverted responsive
ADJECTIVE
under wraps
Synonyms
WEAK
clandestine classified covert hidden away hush-hush kept concealed restricted secret top-secret under one's hat with a lid on
ADVERB
under one's hat
Synonyms
WEAK
confidential private secret under wraps

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The disappearance of Guthrie, a crime that remains uncracked after more than three weeks, is the rare story that spans the breadth of tabloid gossip and buttoned-up newspaper reporting.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

Patel’s presence at the bureau has been something of a culture shock for a buttoned-up workforce, used to wearing suits and ties.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025

Ironically, it’s that very buttoned-up image that some might know Hamlin for best.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2025

Her shirt might be undone, in contrast to the severe, buttoned-up tailoring of last week, but her shoulders are sharp and accentuated.

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2025

For this buttoned-up age, for Burnham, it was a letter that could have steamed itself open.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson