stand·off
ˈstand-ˌȯf 
1
2
: used for holding something at a distance from a surface
a standoff insulator
stood off; standing off; stands off
Examples of standoff in a Sentence
Noun
The two governments are currently in a standoff over who has rights to the land.
after two hours they had played to a 5–5 standoff
Adjective
the client's standoff attitude suggested that this was going to be a strictly business relationship
Recent Examples on the Web
Jackson Shedelbower, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
The move was presented as a step to mitigate airport disruptions with the funding standoff in its fourth week.
—Hanna Park, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
Art De Roché, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
As players started to trickle out of the clubhouse with bats and gloves in for the Cubs’ first full-squad workout yesterday, Chairman Tom Ricketts stood off to the side, taking in the scene.
—Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for standoff
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Noun
It’s estimated that more than $7 billion in economic activity—or roughly $150 million per day—was lost during last fall’s record-breaking budget standoff.
—Jackson Shedelbower, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
The move was presented as a step to mitigate airport disruptions with the funding standoff in its fourth week.
—Hanna Park, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
Already ahead on the scoreboard from the ninth minute, Arsenal could stand off and allow their opponents to work themselves into a frenzy.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
As players started to trickle out of the clubhouse with bats and gloves in for the Cubs’ first full-squad workout yesterday, Chairman Tom Ricketts stood off to the side, taking in the scene.
—Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standoff. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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