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

As a result, the district declared impasse, a declaration that contract negotiations were at a standstill and that sends the two sides to a magistrate who will hear arguments from administrators and union leaders. —Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026

In the wake of the Iranian attack on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz yesterday, MarineTraffic tracking data shows an almost total standstill of vessels transiting through the waterway. —Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026

With the Strait of Hormuz seeing traffic plummet to a near standstill over the past few months amid concerns about Iranian attacks on ships, crude oil prices remain roughly 40 percent above pre-war levels as of Thursday afternoon. —Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 24 Apr. 2026

And, of course, the Strait of Hormuz remains at a standstill, the president confirmed. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 24 Apr. 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