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
Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Her testimony comes as much of DHS -- from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the Transportation Security Administration to the Coast Guard -- remains shut down amid a standoff between Democrats and Republicans over how to reform ICE.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 28 Feb. 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
Police officials said Abril took the couple hostage during the standoff with police after a shootout with CHP investigators trying to serve a search warrant at the park.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Her testimony comes as much of DHS -- from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the Transportation Security Administration to the Coast Guard -- remains shut down amid a standoff between Democrats and Republicans over how to reform ICE.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
The drivers — shaken but uninjured — stood off to the side, calling family.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 28 Feb. 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 11 Mar. 2026.
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