standstill

noun

stand·​still ˈstan(d)-ˌstil 

: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : stop

brought traffic to a standstill

Synonyms of standstill

• halt

Examples of standstill in a Sentence

The accident brought traffic to a standstill.

battled each other to a standstill

Recent Examples on the Web

Strict regulations, punishing conditions This summer, more than three-quarters of France’s 80 producers of Salers cheese – a semi-hard, raw cow’s milk cheese – were brought to a standstill following a series of heat waves and accompanying drought. — Vivian Song, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

Arrow is a household name across Australia, winning 12 caps for Queensland in the State of Origin representative series against New South Wales that often brings the country to a standstill every year. — Michael Bailey, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Karen Bass called a press conference to say Los Angeles productions are at a standstill and Angelenos aren’t getting paid. — Joseph Kahn, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026

Clancy stared at the jury with no expression when Sullivan earlier explained to the courtroom that the jurors were at a standstill. — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing standstill

• crawl to a stop/standstill

Rhymes for standstill

• anthill
• backfill
• bluegill
• crossbill
• distil
• distill
• downhill
• dunghill
• foothill
• fulfil
• fulfill
• goodwill

Kids Definition

standstill

noun

stand·​still -ˌstil 

: a state marked by absence of motion or activity : stop

traffic was at a standstill

Medical Definition

standstill

noun

stand·​still ˈstand-ˌstil 

: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : arrest

cardiac standstill