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

As Divine Eye, Maclin anchors the fact-based film as a gruff, standoffish inhabitant of the New York maximum-security prison, who finds a surprising calling through theater workshops and live performance.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 26, 2024

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

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

But the older woman did not have that old standoffish expression, did not speak stiffly with her eyes focused somewhere between Olanna’s face and the hand-carved paneling.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie