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

But Tehran remains defiant after nearly six months of war and has brought shipping to a virtual standstill in ⁠the Strait of Hormuz, refusing to allow unauthorized oil tankers to transit a waterway ​that ⁠is vital for global oil shipments. — Reuters, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026

Gulf Construction’s report was published in August last year and, of course, since then the Middle East has been engulfed in a war which has brought shipping to the region almost to a standstill. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

When extreme heat wreaked havoc in Europe this summer, the equestrian industry practically came to a standstill on both sides of the English Channel. — Danielle Rossingh, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Bulldozers and excavators in Texas’ Big Bend National Park are at a standstill as the chief of US Customs and Border Protection visits to assess how the agency should move forward with plans for new border security measures. — Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 19 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