standoffish

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.

Yet at the outset, the US appeared strikingly standoffish.

From BBC • May 11, 2025

Or maybe the grouchy, standoffish, self-righteous pain in the butt is a character that resonates in Denmark.

From New York Times • Mar. 13, 2024

He said she was the social one of the couple and an “absolute sweetheart,” while her husband was “a standoffish kind of person” and seemed controlling.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 25, 2023

Over the course of seven years, we saw them morph from standoffish children — often bullied because of the complexion of their skin — to two young, confident leaders.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2023

The three females were more standoffish, but they didn’t seem to mind Marc coming onto their island.

From "My Life with the Chimpanzees" by Jane Goodall