standstill

noun

stand·​still ˈstan(d)-ˌstil 

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

brought traffic to a standstill

Synonyms

• 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

Or do taxes still need to be filed on time even while Washington remains at a standstill? —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2025

Six days later, Khan took a leave of absence that brought the work of the court to a virtual standstill. —David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025

The Jonathan Kuminga drama finally came to an end earlier this week after a long and tumultuous standstill between the two sides. —MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

The end of the zero-interest-rate era in 2022 brought the M & A and IPO markets — the industry's primary exit paths — to a virtual standstill. —Ganesh Rao,julianna Tatelbaum, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025

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