standstill
noun
stand·still
ˈstan(d)-ˌstil 
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : stop
brought traffic to a standstill
Examples of standstill in a Sentence
The accident brought traffic to a standstill.
battled each other to a standstill
Recent Examples on the Web
Around three hours prior to tipoff, Curry was seen participating in a variety of exercises with longtime shooting coach Bruce Fraser, firing jumpers from a standstill as well as taking 3-pointers off movement.
—
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2026
With contract negotiations at a standstill, leaders of the Los Angeles teachers union are widely expected on Wednesday to announce the date of a strike that, if carried out, would interrupt the education of about 390,000 students.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Talks between the two sides slowed to a standstill before the start of the season.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of all global oil passes, has been brought to a near standstill since the war began.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for standstill
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.
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2026
With contract negotiations at a standstill, leaders of the Los Angeles teachers union are widely expected on Wednesday to announce the date of a strike that, if carried out, would interrupt the education of about 390,000 students.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Talks between the two sides slowed to a standstill before the start of the season.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of all global oil passes, has been brought to a near standstill since the war began.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for standstill
Cite this Entry
“Standstill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standstill. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
standstill
noun
stand·still
ˈstand-ˌstil
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : arrest
cardiac standstill
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
