arms crossed
Guarded body language
Arms crossed describes a posture where both arms are folded across the chest, each hand tucking near the opposite elbow.
The position often signals defensiveness, skepticism, or closed-off body language: She sat with her arms crossed, clearly unconvinced.
It can also indicate comfort or coldness rather than hostility—context matters.
He leaned back, arms crossed, waiting for an explanation.
- defensiveProtective or easily threatened
- closed offBarred from access
- guardedWary and restrained
- stubbornRefusing to change course
- resistantWithstanding external forces
impatient · waiting · skeptical · disapproval · standoffish · hard to read · posture · body language · power pose · folded · hugging · self-soothing · cold · barrier · protective · defiant · annoyed · uncomfortable
- posesstanding pose, sitting pose, seated pose, kneeling pose, reclining pose
- posture expressionsslouch, slump, hunch, stoop, stand tall
- swaggerswagger, strut, strutting, peacocking, cockiness
- ritual gesturesgenuflect, genuflection, prostration, bowing, kneeling
- gesturesgesture, hand gestures, applause, hand raise, tap on shoulder
arms crossedopen arms
Welcoming body language
arms outstretched · palms up · hands on hips · open posture · open stance
arms crossedopen arms
Welcoming body language
warm embrace · welcoming · inviting · leaning in · reaching out
arms crossedopen arms
Welcoming body language
unguarded · vulnerable · exposed · defenseless · relaxed posture
arms, armed, arming, armless, unarmed, forearm, armful, cross, crossed