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

Yet she did it with her reserved way of speaking and her buttoned-up manner.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2025

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

Set in the buttoned-up town of Fallwell, Massachusetts, it’s a fizzy send-up of small-town sanctimony and monster-movie melodrama.

From Salon • Oct. 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

buttoned-up

Example Sentences

Related Words