aloofness

noun

aloof·ness ə-ˈlüf-nəs

Synonyms of aloofness

: the quality or state of being aloof or emotionally distant

Her aloofness … did not endear her to the rest of the company …—Marybeth Kerrigan

… there was an aloofness in him which the boys and I could never quite bridge.—Mildred D. Taylor

His aloofness was … born more of insecurity than of arrogance …—David Cannadine

… was respected for his military tenacity and his surprising aloofness from party favoritism.—Simon Schama

Examples of aloofness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

My fear manifested as aloofness. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026 My fear manifested as aloofness. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026 What the rise of 'chalance' says about dating People have equated aloofness with coolness since long before the internet came around. — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 29 June 2026 Remaining silent may shroud those in power in a cloak of untouchability, projecting confidence in their authority — but also aloofness. — Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aloofness

Word History

Etymology

aloof entry 1 + -ness

First Known Use

1639, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of aloofness was in 1639

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

aloofly

aloofness

alopecia

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Aloofness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aloofness. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

aloofness

noun

Examples of aloofness in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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