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standoffishly

standoffishly

8.2
Acting in an unfriendly, distant way that avoids people
  • adverb
  • /ˌstændˈɔfɪʃli/
translation icon : de manera distante
  • She responded standoffishly to my attempts at friendly conversation.

Examples

  • He spoke standoffishly during the meeting.

  • He standoffishly avoided eye contact with everyone at the meeting.

  • The celebrity standoffishly declined autographs as she hurried past the crowd.

  • She always acts standoffishly towards new colleagues.

  • She responded standoffishly when he tried to engage her in conversation.

  • His standoffishly demeanor made it difficult for others to approach him.

  • Even during the meeting, he sat standoffishly, avoiding eye contact with his colleagues.

Synonyms

coldly
vsstandoffishly
30 4.0

In a way that shows little feeling or kindness to other people

is more about being distant and hard to approach
impassively
vsstandoffishly
4 6.8

In a way that shows no feeling or reaction

is more intentional in keeping distance rather than showing no feeling
sullenly
vsstandoffishly
4 6.8

A quiet, angry way of showing you are upset

is unfriendly without the clear anger or gloom found here
stolidly
vsstandoffishly
1 8.4

Without showing much feeling or reaction

keeps others at arm's length through cool behaviour rather than numbness
stonily
vsstandoffishly
1 8.0

In a cold, unfriendly way that shows no feeling

is more socially distant and unapproachable rather than only emotionless
sulkily
vsstandoffishly
1 7.5

By being quiet and not joining others to show someone is annoyed

is distant without the obvious resentment or sulking attitude
dourly
vsstandoffishly
1 8.4

In a serious, unfriendly way that shows dislike

is more about social coldness than stern or gloomy mood
freezingly
vsstandoffishly
7.3

In a very unfriendly way that shows no warmth

is similarly distant but emphasizes social withdrawal rather than chill
unaffectionately
vsstandoffishly
7.7

In a way that shows little warmth or care

is more about keeping distance and not being approachable
reservedly
vsstandoffishly
7.4

In a quiet, careful way that does not show feelings or strong opinions

is less formal and more about keeping others at a distance
unsociably
vsstandoffishly
6.7

In a way that avoids talking to or being with other people

is similar but stresses unfriendliness and lack of approachability
taciturnly
vsstandoffishly
9.1

To act in a quiet, reserved way and say very little

keeps others away more by coldness than by silence alone
reticently
vsstandoffishly
8.0

In a quiet way, not wanting to speak or give information

is less about silence and more about being unfriendly or distant

Antonyms

39 1.0

In a kind, friendly, and enthusiastic way

How Friendly

warmly
39 1.0
politely
108 1.0
standoffishly
8.2
coldly
30 4.0

Surface Forms

standoffishly positive
standoffishlier comparative
standoffishliest superlative

Morphology

standoffishly = standoffish (transparent) = standoffish + ly

Formed by adding the productive adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'standoffish', so the adverbial meaning is directly predictable.

Etymology

Standoffishly comes from the parts stand + off, which together mean 'stand apart', with -ish meaning 'somewhat' and -ly making an adverb, so a helpful picture is someone who literally stands away from a group. So, to act standoffishly is to behave in a 'distant' or 'unfriendly' way, like a person who keeps their distance at a party.