standstill
noun
stand·still
ˈstan(d)-ˌstil 
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : stop
brought traffic to a standstill
Examples of standstill in a Sentence
The accident brought traffic to a standstill.
battled each other to a standstill
Recent Examples on the Web
Funding for the Department of Homeland Security is at a standstill as Senate Democrats and Republicans work through negotiations, with Democrats demanding stronger restrictions on immigration enforcement agencies.
—
Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 24 Feb. 2026
Communities across the Northeast are digging out from the snow on Tuesday and mourning a young man's death after a powerful blizzard blanketed much of the region, bringing travel to a near-standstill and causing widespread power outages.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Because of the downpour and related travel restrictions, much of the city has ground to a standstill, with even Broadway cancelling all shows Sunday evening.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 23 Feb. 2026
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Travel is at a standstill in New York City amid a historic nor'easter that created a cascade of hundreds of flight cancellations and headaches for anyone trying to get in or out of the region this week.
—Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for standstill
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Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 24 Feb. 2026
Communities across the Northeast are digging out from the snow on Tuesday and mourning a young man's death after a powerful blizzard blanketed much of the region, bringing travel to a near-standstill and causing widespread power outages.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Because of the downpour and related travel restrictions, much of the city has ground to a standstill, with even Broadway cancelling all shows Sunday evening.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 23 Feb. 2026
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Travel is at a standstill in New York City amid a historic nor'easter that created a cascade of hundreds of flight cancellations and headaches for anyone trying to get in or out of the region this week.
—Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for standstill
Cite this Entry
“Standstill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standstill. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
standstill
noun
stand·still
ˈstand-ˌstil
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : arrest
cardiac standstill
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