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
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025
As the budget standoff nears the record for the longest shutdown ever, agency furloughs, reductions in force, canceled grants and jeopardized infrastructure projects document the devastating and immediate damage to the government’s ability to serve the public.
—Kenneth M. Evans, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
But as Friday’s scene unfolded after 10 p.m., Perich was standing off to the side with Fleck and his wife Heather.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
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Noun
While the standoff shows no immediate sign of easing, investors and policy decision-makers are flying blind without federal data to help color their perceptions about the health of the economy.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025
As the budget standoff nears the record for the longest shutdown ever, agency furloughs, reductions in force, canceled grants and jeopardized infrastructure projects document the devastating and immediate damage to the government’s ability to serve the public.
—Kenneth M. Evans, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
As Morgan and Sasha chat it up at Noah’s family’s Purim party, a sad-eyed Esther stands off to the side, quietly watching the interaction.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
But as Friday’s scene unfolded after 10 p.m., Perich was standing off to the side with Fleck and his wife Heather.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 18 Oct. 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 4 Nov. 2025.
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