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
Zak Hudak, CBS News, 30 June 2025
The Buffalo Bills and running back James Cook have been locked into a contract standoff throughout the entire NFL offseason thus far.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 June 2025
Lance Smith, 74, stands off to the side of the bowl, a Coors Light in one hand, a Nikon camera in the other.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
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Noun
Soon after that standoff ended, attention grew around two leaders from major labor unions exiting the DNC, bringing about more questions about the direction of the party moving forward.
—Zak Hudak, CBS News, 30 June 2025
The Buffalo Bills and running back James Cook have been locked into a contract standoff throughout the entire NFL offseason thus far.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
Verb
The breakout singer's June 11 album announcement garnered criticism with its imagery showing Carpenter, dressed in a black dress and high heels, kneeling on the ground in a dog-like pose while an unidentified man stands off to the side and pulls her by the hair.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 June 2025
Lance Smith, 74, stands off to the side of the bowl, a Coors Light in one hand, a Nikon camera in the other.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
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 Jul. 2025.
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