standstill
noun
stand·still
ˈstan(d)-ˌstil 
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : stop
brought traffic to a standstill
Synonyms
Examples of standstill in a Sentence
The accident brought traffic to a standstill.
battled each other to a standstill
Recent Examples on the Web
Record levels of rainfall have brought cities in the United Arab Emirates and Oman to a standstill, with at least 19 people killed in Oman and flights being diverted from Dubai’s airport.
—
Yan Zhuang, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024
With up to 835 hp and 908 ft lbs of torque hailing from four motors, the R1S can reach 60 mph from a standstill in 3.0 seconds flat.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2024
News helicopters also quickly fell into pursuit of Simpson as traffic came to a standstill on much of the expressway with curious onlookers pulled over to watch.
—Lindsay Kimble, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Traffic is a growing concern; when a single dry causeway is all that connects islands, a car accident can grind life to a standstill.
—Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2024
The total solar eclipse plunged Augusta National Golf Club into darkness shortly after 3 p.m. local time in Georgia, bringing the major’s first practice round to a standstill as players, caddies and patrons turned their gazes skyward.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Roberson said the only other time she’s tried her hand at investing was back in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when the cruise industry was at a standstill.
—Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
Marine traffic around the Port of Baltimore is at a standstill after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed Tuesday, an accident that is expected to disrupt shipping and supply chains.
—Jackie Northam, NPR, 27 Mar. 2024
Sixty-five miles apart, the planes remained at a standstill.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024
Yan Zhuang, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024
With up to 835 hp and 908 ft lbs of torque hailing from four motors, the R1S can reach 60 mph from a standstill in 3.0 seconds flat.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2024
News helicopters also quickly fell into pursuit of Simpson as traffic came to a standstill on much of the expressway with curious onlookers pulled over to watch.
—Lindsay Kimble, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Traffic is a growing concern; when a single dry causeway is all that connects islands, a car accident can grind life to a standstill.
—Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2024
The total solar eclipse plunged Augusta National Golf Club into darkness shortly after 3 p.m. local time in Georgia, bringing the major’s first practice round to a standstill as players, caddies and patrons turned their gazes skyward.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Roberson said the only other time she’s tried her hand at investing was back in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when the cruise industry was at a standstill.
—Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
Marine traffic around the Port of Baltimore is at a standstill after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed Tuesday, an accident that is expected to disrupt shipping and supply chains.
—Jackie Northam, NPR, 27 Mar. 2024
Sixty-five miles apart, the planes remained at a standstill.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'standstill.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near standstill
Cite this Entry
“Standstill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standstill. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
standstill
noun
stand·still
ˈstand-ˌstil
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : arrest
cardiac standstill
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