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

Celebrini makes a ton of difficult plays with the puck on the move, in tight areas and from a standstill. — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Shipping remains near a standstill amid sporadic attacks on oil tankers. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

Shipping through the crucial waterway has come to an almost complete standstill causing delays to projects which were even largely complete before war broke out. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

At the slightest security alert, every point along the route can be brought to a standstill. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 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