standstill

noun

stand·​still ˈstan(d)-ˌstil 

: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : stop

brought traffic to a standstill

Synonyms of standstill

• halt

Examples of standstill in a Sentence

The accident brought traffic to a standstill.

battled each other to a standstill

Recent Examples on the Web

Traffic is at a standstill beginning around Northwest 183rd Street near Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens ahead of the Portugal match against Colombia. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026

Spot rates have been soaring consistently since the start of the war in Iran in late February, which sent traffic the Strait of Hormuz to a near-standstill in the following months, rattling energy markets. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 25 June 2026

Transportation planners say studies show growing population trends could eventually bring traffic in the corridor to a standstill during peak travel periods. — Joan Murray, CBS News, 23 June 2026

But my stage 4 cancer is at a standstill. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing standstill

• crawl to a stop/standstill

Rhymes for standstill

• anthill
• backfill
• bluegill
• crossbill
• distil
• distill
• downhill
• dunghill
• foothill
• fulfil
• fulfill
• goodwill

Kids Definition

standstill

noun

stand·​still -ˌstil 

: a state marked by absence of motion or activity : stop

traffic was at a standstill

Medical Definition

standstill

noun

stand·​still ˈstand-ˌstil 

: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : arrest

cardiac standstill