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

Federal lawmakers are at a standstill. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026

Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil supply typically passes, has remained at a near standstill since the war began. —Steve Kopack, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime shipping route for global oil supplies, remains effectively at a standstill, causing the biggest oil supply disruption in history. —Jessica Dickler,greg Iacurci, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026

Now, hiring is nearly at a standstill and Americans’ saving rate has steadily fallen in the past few years as many households borrow more to sustain their spending. —Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 23 Mar. 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