standoffishness

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.

On a reconnaissance mission, Jessie climbs to the roof and discovers the root of this strange standoffishness: Every child, in every window, has their face glued to a screen.

From Salon • Jun. 21, 2026

Perhaps that will change as monarch, but as Prince of Wales he developed an affable, grandfatherly style, with no standoffishness.

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2022

“I think it would be a very interesting study to see what has changed there, what has remained of the standoffishness of Savannah,” he told me.

From Washington Post • Jul. 8, 2022

To your earlier point, should the academy wish to cast its standoffishness aside, it could do no better than to give Toni Collette’s masterly performance in “Hereditary” the benefit of its full consideration.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 26, 2018

Of Mia’s—well, standoffishness, even as she spent hours a day in Mrs. Richardson’s own home, in this very kitchen.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng