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
Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2026
His rigorist doctrinal chief, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger—the future Benedict XVI—had moved to restrict Gutiérrez and other liberation theologians, leading to a standoff with CELAM, which had a long history with him.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Chad Graff, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Their family dog stands off to the side.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Funding standoffs are becoming increasingly common, and the government has been operating for a while on short-term bills to keep things running at current levels.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2026
His rigorist doctrinal chief, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger—the future Benedict XVI—had moved to restrict Gutiérrez and other liberation theologians, leading to a standoff with CELAM, which had a long history with him.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
Initially, much of the team’s support staff, many of whom have been with the Patriots for more than a decade, stood off to the side.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Their family dog stands off to the side.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 5 Jan. 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 9 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share