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

This is a major system that will cause numerous airport delays, traffic to come to a standstill in many cases, when traffic is moving, slick spots will be an issue, and a spike in energy bills and likely fires as people try to stay warm should be expected. —Ron Smiley, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026

The legal battle over those layoffs is currently at a standstill. —Stephan Bisaha, NPR, 21 Jan. 2026

And finally… ▶️ Massive pileup in snowy Michigan A 100-plus vehicle pileup in Michigan on Monday brought traffic to a standstill during dangerous whiteout conditions. —Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026

Ahead of the 2025-26 season, both parties said negotiations had reached a standstill because there was no need to reach a deal immediately. —Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 19 Jan. 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