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 was at a standstill on Interstate 85 in north Charlotte and southern Cabarrus County to near the Concord Mills mall exit in Concord after an accident Saturday afternoon, the state’s real-time traffic map showed. — Joe Marusak july 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026

His greatness is never in question, but to have the league at a standstill because of a 41-year-old free agent amazes me. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 2026

To contain the attack, the company had to take its systems offline, which also meant suspending its booking and dispatch services, effectively bringing operations to a standstill and leaving customers without rides. — Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 17 July 2026

As the eerie haze settled in over the city, summer quieted to a standstill. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 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