standoffishness
1
8.8
- noun
- /ˌstændˈɔfɪʃnəs/
:
distanciamiento
- Despite her standoffishness, I could tell she was just shy and not truly unfriendly.
What they register is a standoffishness, A coldness, an unapproachability.
- What they register is a standoffishness, A coldness, an unapproachability.
Examples
-
"Reba went on about the difficulty of securing a parking place, and the standoffishness of some clerks, and the old refrain she always worked in about wishing she had stayed in Louisiana.
Fiction book (1996) -
He liked the standoffishness of the English just as he liked their sense of order and routine.
Fiction book (1998) -
Nothing direct, just a general standoffishness.
Fiction book (1992) -
What other important information had Cheryl's standoffishness caused her to miss?
Fiction book (2002) -
What they register is a standoffishness, A coldness, an unapproachability.
-
Despite his standoffishness, we warily settled into the pool alongside him, but mindfully kept whatever distance we could manage.
Blog text (17) -
A need for belonging might manifest as standoffishness in some situations where the character fears or anticipates rejection, but in other situations, it may make him fiercely protective of the people he cares about.
Academic text (2008) -
The agency's signature Kahlua ads hold few visual signs of the casual familiarity suggested by the effigies' in-house nickname; instead, they seem underpinned by "us/them" standoffishness.
Academic text (2000) -
I noticed her standoffishness during the party, as she avoided eye contact and stayed away from the group.
-
His standoffishness made it difficult for me to approach him, as he seemed uninterested in conversation.
Synonyms
10
7.8
A feeling of not wanting to speak or share thoughts
9
5.2
A quiet way of acting that shows little emotion
4
7.2
A feeling of being distant from other people and not friendly
1
6.3
A distant, not friendly manner that keeps others away
A way of acting toward other people that is distant and not friendly
A habit of staying quiet and keeping away from other people
A very cold, unfriendly way of behaving that keeps others away
A way of behaving that is cold and unfriendly
Quiet behaviour that does not show feelings or thoughts openly
A tendency to be quiet and avoid talking
Antonyms
How Friendly
Surface Forms
Morphology
standoffishness = standoffish (transparent) = off + stand + ish + ness
Formed by adding the noun-forming suffix '-ness' to the transparent adjective 'standoffish' (stand + off + -ish), so the meaning is directly the quality of being standoffish.
Etymology
Standoffishness comes from the phrase stand off ('to stand away') plus the endings -ish and -ness. So it literally names the state of 'standing away' from others, which is why it means being distant or unfriendly.