Definition of standoff
2
:the act of standing off
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Examples of standoff in a Sentence
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
Recent Examples of standoff from the Web
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The wrongful-death and civil-rights lawsuit was filed by the family of Leonard Thomas, who was killed by a SWAT sniper in May 2013 after a four-hour standoff at his Fife home.
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One person was reportedly shot to death after an hours-long standoff Wednesday in Olathe.
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U.S. officials informed their Panamanian counterparts, who intercepted the vessel, finally managing to seize it after a five-day standoff with the ship’s crew.
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A man accused of beating a 60-year-old woman with a bat, leaving her with life-threatening injuries, was arrested after a brief but dramatic standoff in Logan Heights Tuesday morning, San Diego police said.
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The inmate was later found dead after a standoff with police.
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For the final event before the big show, the remaining 12 entered the digital age in a cyberpunk standoff.
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He was taken into custody after a standoff at his residence, Hatmaker said.
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After a standoff, the White House relented, though Shaub found that a number of the waivers did not have the requisite signatures and dates.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'standoff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of standoff
circa 1835
standoff Synonyms
Synonyms
dead heat, draw, stalemate, tieRelated Words
deadlock, impasse; seesaw; photo finish; horse race, toss-upDefinition of standoff
1
:standoffish
2
:used for holding something at a distance from a surface
- a standoff insulator
Examples of standoff in a Sentence
the client's standoff attitude suggested that this was going to be a strictly business relationship
First Known Use of standoff
1837
standoff Synonyms
Synonyms
aloof, antisocial, asocial, buttoned-up, cold, cold-eyed, detached, distant, dry, frosty, offish, remote, cool, standoffish, unbending, unclubbable, unsociableAntonyms
cordial, friendly, sociable, social, warmRelated Words
indrawn, introverted, nongregarious, recessive, reclusive, reserved, unsocial, withdrawn; misanthropic; apathetic, hard, indifferent, unconcerned; clinical, dispassionate, impersonal, professional; disinterested, incurious, uninterested; reticent, silent, taciturn, uncommunicative; diffident, shy, timid; cliquey, cliquish, clubbishNear Antonyms
boon, clubbable (also clubable), clubby, companionable, convivial, extroverted (also extraverted), gregarious, outgoing; communicative, expansive, garrulous, talkative; affable, folksy, genial, gracious, hospitable; agreeable, amiable, congenial, kindly, neighborlyFirst Known Use of stand off
1603
STANDOFF Defined for English Language Learners
standoff
play
noun
Definition of standoff for English Language Learners
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: an argument, contest, etc., in which there is no winner
Learn More about standoff
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See words that rhyme with standoff Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for standoff Nglish: Translation of standoff for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of standoff for Arabic speakers
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